Waldbühne 2015 | Lights, Camera, Action!(2015)

Aida - Arena di Verona(it)

The grand scale and magnificent acoustics of the Roman arena in Verona are ideally suited to the pageantry of Verdi's Egyptian opera, presented here in a staging that is true to the original 1913 production, framed by obelisks and sphinxes and filled with chorus and dancers. Chinese soprano Hui He has won international acclaim for her portrayal of the eponymous slave girl whose forbidden love for the war hero Radamés (Marco Berti, the experienced Verdi tenor) brings death to them both.

Brahms: Complete Symphonies(en)

After the great success of his Beethoven cycle, Christian Thielemann now turns with his new orchestra, the Staatskapelle Dresden, to the symphonic work of Johannes Brahms. Bonus features include: an extensive 52 minute interview with Christian Thielemann on Brahms' Symphonies and provides and in-depth look into his interpretation of Brahms.

Igor Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring performed by The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra(en)

On Air presents Igor Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring, performed by the world-renowned Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Peter Breiner, and recorded at BBC Television Centre. Expertly brought to life by some of the world's most sought-after classical musicians, the ensemble comprises 93 instruments: 51 string, 16 woodwind, 20 brass and 6 percussion. The full performance is available to watch on demand in cinematic quality.

Songs of Love from Hawaii(ko)

Embark on a mesmerizing musical journey through the multi-faceted history of Korean American immigrants in Hawaiʻi with SONGS OF LOVE, a captivating reverie of song and history.

Anna Bolena(it)

Around 1536, at Windsor Castle, King Henry VIII of England fell in love with the young queen's lady-in-waiting, Jane Seymour. In order to free himself from his marriage to Anne Boleyn, the monarch decided to recall Anne's former lover, Lord Percy, from exile, as he still loved the queen. Both were unjustly sentenced to be beheaded for alleged adultery. The outcast Anne Boleyn spends her last moments in the Tower of London, from where she is led directly to the execution site...

Kamenný orchestr(cs)

Andre Previn at the BBC(en)

Charismatic conductor and composer Andre Previn looks back at some of his greatest television moments, from thrilling performances of orchestral favourites by Mozart and Berlioz to his classic comedy encounter with Morecambe and Wise.

Tibor Frešo(sk)

Kapila(ml)

The film sketches the creative life of the protagonist Kapila. The film’s narrative is structured as one day in the life of a Koodiyattam performer.

Narodil sa chrobáčik(sk)

In the magical world of dancing fireflies, we follow the story of the main character - naughty Svätojanek, which takes place against the backdrop of the changing seasons. Little episodes from the life of the industrious little bugs, set in the endless cycle of nature, are arranged in dancing images that carry a strong ethical message.

Outspoken: Music for Free Speech(en)

Take a seat with us at FIRE’s first-ever classical music concert in support of free expression: “Outspoken: Music for Free Speech.” At the podium is conductor Rebecca Bryant Novak, a former doctoral student at the University of Rochester’s Eastman School of Music. Taking the stage for the first time since she was expelled without due process after speaking out about alleged harassment, Rebecca leads an all-volunteer orchestra in an unforgettable evening of music. Internationally acclaimed musicians, violinist Lara St. John and oboist Katherine Needleman, bring the stage to life with works by composers who themselves faced censorship, from Mozart to Shostakovich. Between performances, FIRE staff and special guests reflect on why free expression is essential for artists, and for all of us. The arts cannot thrive without free expression. Thank you to everyone who made this night possible!

Luthière(nl)

Elara, a young violinist, is madly in love with Lucio, a Sicilian student. Their love blossoms, but suddenly Lucio must return to Italy to care for his sick niece. Elara struggles with loneliness and sadness, until she finds new inspiration in a dream.

John Adams: The Gospel According to the Other Mary(en)

Sir Simon Rattle, the Berliner Philharmoniker and the Rundfunkchor Berlin give an impeccable performance of the powerful biblical oratorio “The Gospel According to the Other Mary” by John Adams, one of the most renowned contemporary composers. The sophisticated score with a libretto by acclaimed theatre director Peter Sellars comes to life thanks to the Berliner Philharmoniker, whose intimate knowledge of Adams’s music stems from the composer himself: He attended the orchestra’s rehearsals. In the role of the Evangelist, Bubeck, Cummings and Medley lead through the narrative. A stunning highlight is Lazarus’s aria, sung by tenor Peter Hoare. But at the heart of the piece are Mary Magdalene and her sister Martha during the last days before Jesus’s death, impressively performed by mezzo-sopranos Kelley O’Connor and Tamara Mumford.

Gloria!(it)

In late 18th century Venice, in a convent school for girls, Teresa, a student with prophetic gifts, joins forces with some amazing music-makers. They create a new kind of pop, bright and bold, and challenge the ancient and rigid system.

Winter Allegro(fr)

Winter Allegro portrays the fierce competition between two violin prodigies to win the solo part of an abusive conductor's new rendition of Vivaldi's Four Seasons. Camille, first chair violinist, faces Anya, a younger American virtuoso.

Písně z Gurre(cs)

A brilliant performance of Schönberg's monumental work at the Prague State Opera. Arnold Schönberg composed Gurre-Lieder to a text by J. P. Jacobsen about the tragic love of the Danish king Waldemar and his mistress Tove Lille, who was murdered out of jealousy by Queen Helviga. He orchestrated the composition for a monumental orchestral and vocal ensemble: five vocal solos, a narrator, a male and mixed choir, and a huge orchestra comprising 25 woodwind instruments, 25 brass instruments, four harps, a celesta, 16 different percussion instruments (including iron chains), and an exceptionally large string section. Every performance of this masterpiece, composed down to the last detail, is truly an overwhelming experience. SOČR chief conductor Petr Popelka seized this unique opportunity, as at the time of the performance of Songs he was also chief conductor of the Norwegian Radio Orchestra, and in this unique project he brought together the two ensembles entrusted to him.

Les Grands Rivaux en musique - Schönberg vs Stravinsky(fr)

A look back at the violent conflict between the two leading figures of musical modernity, Arnold Schönberg and Igor Stravinsky, in the first decades of the 20th century. Although Arnold Schönberg and Igor Stravinsky both had a decisive influence on the fourth art, their creations remained diametrically opposed. While the Austrian developed the dodecaphonic method, placing the twelve notes of the chromatic scale at the heart of the composition technique to the detriment of tonality, his Russian rival based his practice on stylistic eclecticism. Their supporters formed two opposing camps, and the two composers - one the father of the Second Viennese School, the other of Neoclassicism - became, in the wake of their successes, the figureheads of a conflict that marked the history of music by its duration and intensity.

Le concert de Noël avec Roberto Alagna et l'orchestre philharmonique de Monte-Carlo(fr)

Roberto Alagna celebrates Christmas surrounded by his friends Christophe Willem, Nolwenn Leroy, Karine Deshayes, Aleksandra Kursak, and Patrick Fiori. They perform the most beautiful popular tunes and Christmas carols accompanied by the Philharmonic Orchestra and the Monte-Carlo Opera Choir under the direction of Yvan Cassar. Recorded at the Salle des Étoiles Sporting d'Été in Monte Carlo.

Vita Dolce(ko)

The Metropolitan Opera Centennial Gala(en)

In celebration of its 100th anniversary in 1983, the Metropolitan Opera hosts a four-hour performance uniting some of the world's most spellbinding opera singers and conductors. The event includes a ballet from Samson et Dalila and boasts incredible classical performances from Kathleen Battle, Plácido Domingo, Jose Carerras, Leonard Bernstein, Marilyn Horne, Leona Mitchell, Luciano Pavarotti and many more.