November 2020: the audience follows Janine fly-on-the wall from initial research and rehearsals in Stockholm, to a hectic month in London where, accompanied on the piano by Pappano, the legendary Director of the Royal Opera, she becomes acquainted with each of the violins and select works that fit them best. Made by the legendary luthier Antonio Stradivarius, some of these violins have not been played for 200 years while others belonged to the greatest virtuosos ever, including Fritz Kreisler, Nathan Milstein, Ida Haendel and Oscar Shumsky, all featured in the film in powerful archive. Learning their histories, and coming to grips with their foibles, Janine then falls ill with Covid. Nevertheless, in a virtuoso feat of determination, she recovers to rehearse and record this astonishing album with just a day to spare before the first violin must be returned to its owner. This is a nerve-wracking, intense, and hugely exciting film, where, up close and personal, we see not only what makes these the most unique stringed instruments in the world, but also the enormous humour, spark and energy that drives two of the world’s leading musicians at the top of their creative game.

Janine Jansen embarks on a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to record a new album on twelve of the greatest violins to have ever been created.

Janine Jansen: Falling for Stradivari

Franz Schubert’s masterpiece, his song cycle Winterreise, bewildered his friends when he first played it through to them. 200 years on, it still challenges musicians of every generation. In this beautiful film, Benjamin Appl (baritone) and James Baillieu (piano) re-imagine the songs at the top of a mountain pass in Switzerland in a way that emphasises the timelessness of Schubert’s music.

Schubert’s song cycle Winterreise re-imagined in the wintry setting of an Alpine landscape. 

Winter Journey: Schubert’s Winterreise

Discover the story of world-renowned opera singer Maria Callas through the lens of acclaimed director Tony Palmer's revealing documentary.

Few opera singers have reached the level of acclaim and success like Prima Donna Maria Callas. From her humble beginnings in Manhattan NY to the onset of her career and her turbulent marriage to billionaire Aristotle Onassis, Maria's life was a whirlwind of triumphs and tragedies. With breathtaking archival footage showcasing Callas's iconic performances and intimate interviews about her personal life, this documentary reveals not only Callas the artist but Maria, the woman. 

Delve into the story of world-renowned opera singer Maria Callas through the lens of acclaimed director Tony Palmer's revealing documentary. 

Callas

More than thirty years after her retirement, Britain's greatest classical singer of the 20th century, Dame Janet Baker, talks more openly and emotionally than ever before about her voice, her career and her life today. With excerpts of her greatest stage roles (Dido, Mary Stuart, Julius Caesar and Orpheus), as well as of her appearances in the concert hall and recording studio (works by Handel, Berlioz, Schubert, Elgar, Britten and Mahler), she looks back at the excitements and pitfalls of public performance.

Britain's greatest classical singer of the 20th century, Dame Janet Baker, talks more openly and emotionally than ever before about her life

Janet Baker In Her Own Words

Tony Palmer's film was the first major exploration of the life and career of the great American soprano, Renée Fleming - for many the epitome of the modern-day diva. Share an intimate visit with Renée behind the scenes, at home and on stage as she rehearses and performs in Verdi's Otello and Requiem, and sings Strauss, Mozart, Dvorák, Korngold, Ellington, Gershwin, Puccini, Massenet, and Rachmaninoff.

ony Palmer's film was the first major exploration of the life and career of the great American soprano, Renée Fleming

Ladies and Gentlemen, Miss Renée Fleming

Christian Spuck brought one of Verdi’s key works to the stage with Messa da Requiem. In a mega co-production by the Opera and Ballet Zürich, the German choreographer and director portrays a profound interpretation of Verdi’s funeral mass in his scenic-choreographic production.

Christian Spuck brought one of Verdi’s key works to the stage with Messa da Requiem

Stepping into the Unknown

One of the best loved conductors, Bernard Haitink, retired recently at the age of 90. Bridcut ́s documentary observes him at work as he prepares his final concerts. Some of the musicians he has worked with try to explain the secrets of his conducting technique, while Haitink himself talks about how his approach has changed during his 68 years in front of orchestras and gives advice to young musicians hoping to follow in his footsteps.

Bernard Haitink talks about how his approach to conducting has changed during his 68 years in front of orchestras.

Bernard Haitink: The Enigmatic Maestro

Follow along with Paris Opera's fascinating creative program where young apprentices from various professions come together to learn about the world within the opera house.

What can an ordinary person gain from the world of opera and dance? The answer might surprise you. In this fascinating artistic experiment young apprentices, including pastry chefs, mechanics, sales professionals, and jewelers, come together at the illustrious Paris Opera to learn about the many jobs and skills found within the opera house. 

Through a series of exercises including musical training, dance classes, and set design courses, these young professionals unveil the unique synergy between artistry and craftsmanship that transforms their outlook and skill set. Along the way, director Cyril Leuthy highlights the individual experience of each student revealing the importance of this unique cultural education program. 

Follow along with Paris Opera's fascinating creative program where young apprentices from various professions come together to learn about the world within the opera house.

OpérApprentis

The 2016 Grand Prix winner at International Television Festival Golden Prague, The Pianist of Yarmouk tells the true story of Ayham Ahmad - a Syrian refugee musician. Surrounded by ruins in Syria’s capital Damascus, Ayham sings accompanied by an out-of-tune piano about migration, hunger and death, until he is forced to flee to Germany. After his arrival in Munich, we follow the life of a man who sang out against the suffering in his country until his instrument was destroyed. His story is just one of many - one instance out of thousands who have been robbed of hopes and dreams and forced to build a new existance.new existence.

The Pianist of Yarmouk tells the true story of Ayham Ahmad - a Syrian refugee musician.

The Pianist of Yarmouk

The documentary “Taking Risks” follows all aspects of the production of The Rake's Progress.

The documentary “Taking Risks” follows all aspects of the production of The Rake's Progress

Taking Risks

Filmed on location with Cirque Du Soleil performers, this documentary offers an intimate look at their lives on and off the stage. 

A behind the scenes look at people chasing their dreams and pushing their bodies to the limits.

An intimate documentary following the world-renowned performers of Cirque Du Soleil.

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The Oratorio: A Documentary with Martin Scorsese

Cast & Crew

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