Directing
Three zany puppets bring to life our greatest opera treasures, as Joan Sutherland, the world’s most famous soprano, performs their highlights. The puppets make up the audience: Sir William, a wise old goat; Little Billy, his nephew; and Rudi, a rather boisterous lion. Sutherland first introduces them to the story of each opera. Then, backed by the London Symphony Orchestra and a first-rate cast, she moves onto the opera stage, complete with elaborate sets and elegant costumes. After each exquisite aria, the diva comes back to her inquisitive friends and unfolds the plot.
A filmed version of Aaron Copland's most famous ballet, with its original star, who also choreographed.
In this renowned series of rare television appearances, the legendary Jascha Heifetz—often referred to as the greatest violinist of the 20th century—leads a historic master class at the University of Southern California, in 1962. Through their mixture of brilliance and informality, these classes offer a glimpse into the technique, process, and personality of a classical virtuoso.
A glimpse into the world and methodology of dancer Martha Graham.
Traces the origins and actions of World War I, from the funeral of Britain's King Edward VII to the Versailles Treaty.
Maestro Jascha Heifetz becomes Professor Heifetz in these rare filmed master classes from the early 1960s. Taken from his legendary sessions at USC, Los Angeles, this brilliant musician can be seen demonstrating, cajoling, inspiring, and occasionally terrifying his pupils as he imparts his unquestioned genius and lifetime of musical experience. Learn the secrets of intonation, phrasing, and vibrato from the man whose name has become synonymous with the violin.
Night Journey, the dance, had its premiere only two and a half years after Appalachian Spring, and it is a close cousin. It too has a stream-of-consciousness narration: Jocasta, as she is about to kill herself, remembering what has happened to her. It too contains soul-delving solos, broken up by ensemble dances. Here, however, the ensemble is a darker element. As the story was taken from Greek tragedy, so the corps is the equivalent of Greek tragedy’s chorus. They tell us how to feel: afraid mostly. In this piece Graham pushed her habitual economy to its limits.
A behind-the-scenes look at the Aldeburgh Festival and the opening by The Queen of the new concert hall at Snape.
