La Roque d'Anthéron - The Pianos of the Night: Vanessa Wagner

Summer of 1967. La Goulette, a touristic beach of Tunisia, is the site where three seventeen-year-old girls live: Gigi, Sicilian and Catholic; Meriem, Tunisian and Muslim; Tina, French and Jewish. They would like to have their first sexual experience during that summer, challenging their families. Their fathers, Youssef, Jojo and Giuseppe, are old friends and their friendship will be in crisis because of the girls, while Hadj, an old rich Arab, would like to marry Meriem.

Stéphane Villiers, a pediatrician in his thirties, leads a carefree life in Bordeaux. This charming man finds it easy to win over one woman’s heart after another, yet he fails to form lasting bonds with the young women he so effortlessly seduces. His life takes a dramatic turn one night when 12-year-old Eva is found sitting in his stairwell; she manages to secure shelter in his home through a clever ruse. With her romantic view of the world, sensational piano playing, and demanding nature, the bright girl quickly breaks through Stéphane’s emotional defenses. The two grow far closer than is socially or professionally advisable. Eva longs to be loved, while Stéphane is forbidden to love. As the doctor grapples with his inner emotional turmoil, he discovers that Eva is suffering from a progressive brain disease and resolves to do everything in his power to save her using a daring new treatment.

Live performance by the Bolshoi Theatre at the Palais Garnier, Opéra National de Paris, 2008.

Witness the Zurich Opera's stunning production of Richard Wagner's masterpiece "Tannhauser," conducted by Franz Welser-Most and featuring Peter Sieffert (Tannhauser), Solveig Kringelborn (Elisabeth) and Roman Trekel (von Eschenbach). Initially produced in Dresden in 1845, "Tannhauser" instilled a sense of wonder in a few of Strauss's ardent friends and admirers, among them Robert Schumann and Franz Liszt. Opera buffs will love it.

"Les Pianos De La Nuit" is a collection of piano recitals performed live in the heart of Provence during the International Piano Festival of La Roque D'Antheron in July and August 2002. Conceived specifically for DVD release, these virtuoso performances by contemporary artists can claim authoritative status as classic 21st-century archival footage. SCHUBERT 6 Moments Musicaux, D. 780 1 N°1 En Ut Majeur 6:27 2 N°2 En La Bémol Majeur 5:23 3 N°3 En Fa Mineur 1:49 4 N°4 En Ut Dièse Mineur 5:22 5 N°5 En Fa Mineur 2:06 6 N°6 En La Bémol Majeur 6:30 Sonate Pour Piano En Sol Majeur "Fantaisie" 7 Molto Moderato E Cantabile 17:07 8 Andante 8:30 9 Menuetto. Allegro Moderato 4:29 10 Allegretto 10:59