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

This documentary reveals many intimate and astonishing facts about Maria Callas that many people may not know. Here we witness on stage a broken woman who sings nakedly from her heart, about herself and her life, who acts with incredible power and unashamed truth. Maria was just a woman in trouble, asking for our understanding and our love.

This documentary reveals many intimate and astonishing facts about Maria Callas that many people may not know. Here we witness on stage a broken woman who sings nakedly from her heart.

Callas

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

ln September 2019 begins Kent Nagano's sixteenth and final season at the head of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra (OSM). As time for farewell approaches, Nagano confides on classical music, his attachment to Montreal and the OSM, and the communion that a concert can be. First and foremost, the film tells the story of the formidable relationship that developed between the Maestro and the Montreal people over the years.

The end of a long relationship is always emotionally charged. During the conductor's last season, we are following Mr. Nagano in his environment, with his close collaborators as well as with his circle, the community and the public. We have the privilege of ""reading over his shoulder"", in a way: there, in his dressing room, preparing to share Bruckner; here, in a rehearsal, discussing the Christmas oratorio.

While doing so, director Michel Barbeau captures the ""essence"" of Mr. Nagano, as he shares his thoughts on events that marked his fifteen previous seasons. We then go back in time to find other characters, in the settings that Maestro Nagano came to meet them, whether it be the Lac-Mégantic tragedy in 2013; when he launched the initiative La musique aux enfants in Montréal-Nord in 2008; when he celebrated the centennial of the Canadian Hockey Club at the Bell Center in 2009; or when he offered the grand Symphonie Montréalaise in 2017, for the 375th anniversary of Montreal. These characters share the emotions that moved them when the OSM and its leader were there, with their sometimes soothing, sometimes comforting, always fraternal and transcendent music.

Nagano's Sixteen Seasons is not a biographical film; it is the inner journey of a man who will leave a city, a stranger who will bid farewell to a people, a conductor who enjoys his last moments with this group, the OSM, which was his ""crew of wonders"". This documentary essentially conveys two things: the emotion of an ending, and the emotion - so complex and rich - of classical music.

Kent Nagano's sixteenth and final season approaches, he confides on classical music, his attachment to Montreal and the Montreal Symphony Orchestra.

Nagano's Sixteen Seasons

The film explores what it takes to turn eight individuals into one formidable dance company and follows the process from first auditions, through bootcamp training and creating work - right up to our recent performance.

Documentary capturing the rise of all-male dance company, BalletBoyz from first auditions to a performance in Addis Ababa City Hall, Ethiopia.

BalletBoyz: Next Generation

In this documentary the effervescent mezzo-soprano Cecilia Bartoli takes us behind the scenes at some of the most prestigious, brilliant spectacles in which she has starred in Europe’s most renowned theatres. She is accompanied by artistes of the calibre of Barenboim, Dudamel, Pappano, Argerich and Jaroussky with whom she has forged a relationship based not only on great professionalism, but also on friendship and empathy, regaling the public with engaging, outstanding performances.

Mezzo-soprano Cecilia Bartoli takes us behind the scenes at some of the most prestigious, brilliant spectacles in Europe’s most renowned theatres.

Cecilia Bartoli and Friends

The journey of dancer and choreographer Marion Motin is out of the ordinary. Passionate about hip-hop, this self-taught woman from Normandy has become an artist coveted by the greatest international pop stars. Madonna, Robbie Williams, Stromae, Christine & The Queens: she choreographs their performances, their videos to the point that we all know her without even realizing it. Before becoming a name, Marion was a unique choreographic signature. 

From street battles, through the glitter of US shows, to the dance academies which now solicit her: Marion is always in the right place. A place she has conquered through her talent, charisma and values drawn from the family clan and the wild land where she grew up and where she still lives.

After having created a lot for others, at just 40 years old and a young mother, she faces a new challenge. A more personal creation, which she signs in her name: LE GRAND SOT. In the countdown to the premiere of this show, through her intense daily life where she juggles between a thousand projects (Angèle's and Catherine Ringer's tour, Jean-Paul Gauthier's Fashion Freak Show residency in Madrid,...) and a thousand destinations, we try to unravel the mystery of this powerful woman.

Where does she draw her inspiration, her influences, her energy? How did she impose herself without compromising? In what way is dance for Marion a language that allows her to address these universal questions of sorority, diversity, gender and femininity? Friends, family, collaborators, troupe... all those who rub shoulders with her say that she has the energy of ten people, that she is a combination of power and gentleness: it is her nearly animalistic attitude that has brought her the nickname LOUVE (wolf).

Passionate about hip-hop, self-taught Marion Motin from Normandy has become an artist coveted by the greatest international pop stars.

Marion Motin: Dance with the Wolf

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.

The Oratorio: A Documentary with Martin Scorsese

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