Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg

Leoš Janáček: Das schlaue Füchslein

Janacek's opera performed in Vienna on April 11, 2016

The Metropolitan Opera: Arabella

Strauss’s elegant romance brings the glamour and enchantment of 19th-century Vienna to cinemas worldwide in a sumptuous production by legendary director Otto Schenk that “is as beautiful as one could hope” (The New York Times). Soprano Rachel Willis-Sørensen stars as the title heroine, a young noblewoman in search of love on her own terms. Radiant soprano Louise Alder is her sister, Zdenka, and bass-baritone Tomasz Konieczny is the dashing count who sweeps Arabella off her feet.

Die Sternstunde des Josef Bieder

Die Fledermaus

Witty, fun, intoxicating film of Johann Strauss II's popular operetta, based on a stage production from Vienna State Opera; this is a showcase for the entire cast, but most especially Eberhard Wächter as the insufferably boorish Gabriel Eisenstein, and Gundula Janowitz as his long-suffering wife. Open the champagne, have yourself some torte, and enjoy this delectable comedy from Vienna.

Much Ado About Nothing

Burgtheater recording, based on Shakespeare's play.

Die Walküre

The gorgeous and evocative Otto Schenk/Günther Schneider-Siemssen production continues with this second opera in Wagner’s Ring cycle. Hildegard Behrens brings deep empathy to Brünnhilde, the favorite daughter of the god Wotan (James Morris) who nevertheless defies him. Morris’s portrayal of Wotan is deservedly legendary, as is Christa Ludwig, as Fricka. Jessye Norman and Gary Lakes are Sieglinde and Siegmund, and Kurt Moll is the threatening Hunding. James Levine and the Met orchestra provide astonishing color and drama. (Performed April 8, 1989)

Otto Schenk - Perlen des Humors

Potasch und Perlmutter

The Metropolitan Opera - Wagner: Tannhäuser

As renowned for its harmonious overture as for its romantic storybook characters, this three-act masterwork features some of the composer’s most groundbreaking and unforgettable music, as well as a theme the young Wagner would revisit again and again later in his career—the redemptive and transcendent power of a woman’s love. The enchanting plot harks back to medieval history: Wolfram is a lovesick troubadour who desires the virtuous Elisabeth. She, however, has eyes for another: the rebellious knight Tannhäuser, who in turn cannot get over an overwhelming sensual experience in the realm of the goddess Venus, and is banished for singing her praises at court. Only saintly Elisabeth’s death can atone for his misdeeds.

Der Bauer als Millionär

The fairy Lacrimosa's daughter lives with a forest farmer. If she marries a poor man, her mother will regain her magical powers. «Envy» wants to prevent this and turns the forest farmer into a hard-hearted millionaire.

Zwei unter einem Dach

Small war among pensioners: The charming chaotic Walter Hofer and the pedant Eberhard Gatzweiler have had a love-hate relationship for decades. Not even their grandson Martin can change that. During the lovable tug-of-war for the favor of Martin's attractive teacher Hanna, the waves get even higher, but Hanna has completely different worries.

Elektra

The Otto Schenk production of Richard Strauss's "Elektra", filmed live at the Metropolitan Opera in January, 1994. Hildegard Behrens stars as Elektra, with Deborah Voigt as Chrysothemis, Brigitte Fassbaender as Klytämnestra, Donald McIntyre as Orest, and James King as Aegisth. James Levine conducts.

Eine blassblaue Frauenschrift

In October 1936, a high official in the Austrian government receives a letter from a German Jewish woman with whom he had an affair in 1925 asking him to help place an 11-year-old, half Jewish boy in a good Austrian school. Is the child his? Should he help? And above all should he help now, at a time when Nazis are becoming powerful in Austria?

Meiberger: Chasing Minds

Through the eyes of psychologist Thomas Meiberger, we examine the mental, social and psychological factors of how and why criminal acts are committed. Even in cases that seem unsolvable, Meiberger is able to follow a thread back to the suspect by interpreting the sequence of events, the victim's behavior and subtle details that are invisible to others.

Ein Herz wird wieder jung

An old, rich bachelor learns that he has a granddaughter ...

Liebe möglicherweise

Stories about citizens of a big city who encounter a variety of fates as a result of their difficulties in communicating with each other.