On the day of the open-air performance of Vincenzo Bellini’s opera ‘Norma’ in 1974, a severe storm is blowing through the city of Orange in southern France. The much-anticipated event may have to be called off at the last moment. All the while, in the spectacular Roman amphitheatre, nine thousand spectators await Montserrat Caballé in the title role of Norma. In the face of these adverse conditions, the singer and musicians nevertheless decide to perform. It will be a legendary evening of music. For this film, Montserrat Caballé’s brother, Carlos Caballé, has given the first interview since the death of his sister in October 2018. Carlos had accompanied her throughout her life and was also in attendance for the rehearsals and performances in Orange in 1974. Soprano Sonia Yoncheva and Olga Peretyatko tell of their admiration for “La Superba”, as Caballé was known to her fans. And just a few short years after this performance, Maria Callas would describe Caballé her as her true successor – high praise indeed.
Magic Moments of Music – Der Rosenkavalier by Herbert von Karajan
The Salzburg Festival is celebrating its 100th anniversary in the summer of 2020. Among the co-founders of the festival were the composer Richard Strauss and his librettist Hugo von Hofmannsthal. Their most popular work was without doubt the comic opera Der Rosenkavalier (The Knight of the Rose). In 1960, the newly constructed Great Festival Hall in Salzburg opened its doors to the public with a performance of this very same opera. On the conductor’s podium was Herbert von Karajan. The production was such a success that it was decided that it should be captured for posterity on 35mm film. The performers included Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, who is still considered by many as unmatched in the role of the Marschallin, and Anneliese Rothenberger. Among the artists returning to this 1960 opera for Great Moments in Music are Ioan Holender, conductor Franz Welser-Möst, singers Anna Prohaska and Günther Groissböck. Lastly, the episode accompanies André Heller as he fulfils a long-cherished dream: he is directing the new production of Der Rosenkavalier at the Berlin State Opera.
HAUSER: Alone, Together – From Krka Waterfalls
HAUSER: Alone, Together – Krka Waterfalls, a special birthday performance – HAUSER turned 34 that day – in the stunning Krka National Park, Croatia. Celebrate with him alongside the most beautiful music and breathtaking surroundings and his renditions of classic compositions like Swan Lake, Nutcracker Suite, River Flows In You and The Lonely Shepherd.
HAUSER: Alone, Together – From Dubrovnik
Of the performance, HAUSER says, „While visiting some of Croatia’s most stunning locations for the ‘Alone Together’ series, I had to include one of the country’s most well-known destinations – Dubrovnik. This beautiful city, with its unique location and stunning architecture, has been shaped by events throughout history – it is little wonder why it was chosen as one of the locations for Game of Thrones. I obviously had to include that title theme in the set list!
Lang Lang – Goldberg Variations – Finding the Inner Voice
At a time of personal change, star pianist Lang Lang fulfills a long-held dream and takes on one of the greatest challenges of the classical repertoire: Bach’s Goldberg Variations. Legendary in their length and difficulty, the 30 variations are technically demanding and when performed together, span almost 90 minutes. On this very intimate journey of rediscovery, Lang visits mentors, friends, and Bach experts, travelling through time and to various cities to find deeper connection to both the composer and the historic colossus of music literature. Follow in an open conversation as he develops his interpretation and encounter a new Lang Lang, who is more experienced, more thoughtful, more transparent, and more concentrated.
Three Tenors – From Caracalla to the World
It was the most successful classical concert: 30 years ago, Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo and José Carreras performed together with Zubin Mehta for the first time as „3 Tenors“ in the thermal baths of Caracalla on the occasion of the Football World Cup in Italy. 1.6 billion spectators watched the concert worldwide – and it catapulted classical music into a completely new dimension. Just in time for the 30th anniversary, the film „Three Tenors – From Caracalla to the World“ shows the emotional highlights of the first concert and the sequel in Los Angeles. Previously unpublished backstage material shows the tenors unadorned and offers a fascinating insight into what takes place beyond the spotlight. The film takes a completely new look at the concert legend. For the first time, Placido Domingo, José Carreras, conductor Zubin Mehta and Luciano Pavarotti‘s widow Nicoletta Mantovani talk about José Carreras‘ struggles with leukemia, their rivalries and friendships, their spectacular contract poker and life as an opera star.
The Animated Story of Jenny Lind – A Swedish Nightingale
Step into an animated era and a sensational music story. As a teenager Jenny Lind became an international icon. Adored by Chopin, best friend with Victoria the Queen of England, Clara Schumann and in close relationship with the composer Felix Mendelssohn, the young singer made Opera popular all over the world. With prizewinning soprano Malin Byström and Evan Rogister conducting The Swedish Radio Symphony orchestra. Featuring young talent Annie Ternström and baritone Thomas Hampson as the inspired Narrator. Animations by acclaimed Jessica Laurén.
Le Concert de Paris 2020
It is now a well-established tradition: every year, on July 14, the Orchestre National de France welcomes the summer with a large musical gathering at the foot of the Eiffel Tower with stunning fireworks. Conducted by Eun Sun Kim, and accompanied by the Chorus of Radio France, the orchestra invites the audience around the world and 1.000 people on the spot, to experience great arias and famous concert pieces in the company of prestigious soloists like Sol Gabetta, Lisa Batiashvili, Sonya Yoncheva, Khatia Buniatishvili, Ludovic Tézier, Fatma Said, Benjamin Bernheim, Lucienne Renaudin Vary and Angelique Kidjo!
Moment Musical – Andreas Ottensamer
As concert halls are silent and theatres dark during the COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic, bringing performers and audiences together demands creative solutions. C Major Entertainment, in collaboration with Arte Concert and DG, is set to launch a series of professional live relays of concerts given by artists at Berlin’s legendary Meistersaal. The programmes focus on solo or duo works. This approach limit the number of artists, technicians and backstage staff involved, in compliance with government regulations, while drawing on the endlessly rich repertoire of chamber pieces past and present. Using remote cameras, members of the audio and video crew are safely dispersed in different rooms. The first episode featuring Berlin-based clarinetist Andreas Ottensamer and pianist Julien Quentin.
Moment Musical – Anna Prohaska
As concert halls are silent and theatres dark during the COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic, bringing performers and audiences together demands creative solutions. C Major Entertainment, in collaboration with Arte Concert and DG, is set to launch a series of professional live relays of concerts given by artists at Berlin’s legendary Meistersaal. The programmes focus on solo or duo works. This approach limit the number of artists, technicians and backstage staff involved, in compliance with government regulations, while drawing on the endlessly rich repertoire of chamber pieces past and present. Using remote cameras, members of the audio and video crew are safely dispersed in different rooms. The second episode featuring Berlin-based soprano Anna Prohaskaand and pianist Caspar Frantz.