Subgenre Sampler

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Broadway Idiot (2013): Dir. Doug Hamilton; Flashy, upbeat doco charts the journey of Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong from pop–punk rocker to Broadway lead in the stage version of…
Six by Sondheim (2013): Dir. James Lapine, Todd Haynes
Feat. Jeremy Jordan, America Ferrera; Very highly regarded HBO television documentary which explores the back–stories of six timeless Sondheim songs. Featuring a rare musical…
Cirque Du Soleil - Worlds Away (2012): Dir. Andrew Adamson; Kiwi dir. Andrew Adamson and the production muscle of James Cameron lavish this latest Cirque Du Soleil spectacle with 3D visuals and a high wire…
In Search of Beethoven (2009): Dir. Phil Grabsky; Dir. Grabsky's scrupulous follow–up to his IN SEARCH OF MOZART examines classical music's other pre–eminent composer, Beethoven, in…
La Boheme (2008): Vivid German production of Puccini's immortal tragi–romance, performed my leading operatic couple Anna Netrebko and Rolando Villazon.
An Evening with Whirimako Black - Live at the Holy Trinity Cathedral (2007): The first recording of a live performance from our most acclaimed Maori language singer – Whirimako Black at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in the…
Music in Me, The (2007): Enriching documentary following an inspirational group of intellectually and physically disabled performers called 'The Merry Makers' as they prepare…
Words from the City (2007): Dir. Natasha Gadd, Rhys Graham; Documentary on contemporary Australian hip–hop, exploring fresh ground through its focus on the poetics of the art–form and its place in…
In Search of Mozart (2006): Dir. Phil Grabsky; Thoughtful and well–orchestrated documentary about 18th century classical composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, which aims to not only put across…
B-Boy Masters (2005): Studious documentary covers a recent Hip Hop Elements All Star Weekend, where 'B–Boys' compete in various hop–hop competitions, including…
Cirque du Soleil - Solstrom (TV Series) (2005): Feat. Milla Jovovich, Christopher Lambert; A 13–part series featuring the amazing 'Cirque de Soleil' theatre troupe, episodes taking a different national tack on the theme of the…
Cirque du Soleil - Midnight Sun (2004): Dir. Victor Pilon, Mario Rouleau; Special 20th Anniversary show for the acrobatic theatre troupe Cirque de Soleil, filmed live at the Montreal Jazz Festival in 2004.
Dame Kiri and Friends - The Gala Concert (2004): A concert performed at the Aotea Centre, Auckland to celebrate the launch of the Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation. Dame Kiri sings with other luminaries…
Giuseppe Verdi's Rigoletto Story (2004): Dir. Gianfranco Fozzi; A boldly imaginative version (with costumes by Vivienne Westwood) of Verdi's famous opera, concerning a court jester in 16th century Italy who seeks…
Hayley Westenra - Live in Concert (2004): The golden–voiced New Zealand singer in a spell–binding live setting at the St James Theatre, Wellington (August 2004). Singing a variety…
Company, The (Das Ensemble) (2003): Dir. Robert Altman
Feat. Neve Campbell, Malcolm McDowell, James Franco; Arch–auteur Robert Altman pirouettes his way through a multi–stranded drama about a Chicago–based ballet company, set mainly round…
Cirque du Soleil - Fire Within (TV Series) (2002): A 13–part documentary series which showcases the creative processes of the 'Cirque du Soleil' dance–theatre troupe who specialise in a…
Cirque du Soleil - Varekai (2002): Dir. Nick Morris; A splendid fantasy stageshow from Canadian troupe Cirque du Soliel. Combining jugglers, clowns, contortionists, trapeze and aerial artists, this…
Fonteyn and Nureyev (2002): Feat. Rudolph Nureyev, Margot Fonteyn; Considered the great dancing–partnership of our time, Rudolph Nureyev and Margot Fonteyn are here seen at their prime, in such ballets as Swan…
By Jeeves (2001): Dir. Alan Ayckbourne
Feat. John Scherer, Martin Jarvis; Apart from the American accents, this is an well–nigh flawless performance of Alan Ayckbourne and Andrew Lloyd Webber's stage musical based on…
Fosse (2001): A 1999 stage tribute to the master choreographer and director of such films (and the stage show versions) as CHICAGO, CABARET, SINGIN' IN THE RAIN…
Great Composers - Volume 1 (Bach, Mozart) (2001): Dir. James Runcie, Francesca Kemp; Excellent BBC series gives a substantial insight into its selected classical composers, combining biographical narrative with musical–analysis…
Great Composers - Volume 2 (Beethoven, Wagner) (2001): Dir. Jill Marshall, Kriss Rusmanis; Excellent BBC series gives a substantial insight into its selected classical composers, combining biographical narrative with musical–analysis…
Great Composers - Volume 3 (Tchaikovsky, Puccini, Mahler) (2001): Dir. Simon Broughton, Chris Hunt, Kriss Rusmanis; Excellent BBC series gives a substantial insight into its selected classical composers, combining biographical narrative with musical–analysis…
Cirque du Soleil - Dralion (2000): Dir. David Mallet; Splendid blend of music, dance and circus by French troupe Cirque du Soleil, giving one a close–up look at their dizzying opus.
Cirque du Soleil - Journey of Man (2000): A shortish stage concoction from the modernday circus troupe who combine magic, ballet and stylish costume in rich productions. This depicts the…
Jesus Christ Superstar (2000): Feat. Rik Mayall, Glenn Carter; Filmed stage version of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's rock–opera which dramatises the life of Jesus Christ. Glitzy, 'Las…
Shaolin - Wheel of Life (2000): Dir. Nick Morris; Unique stage–spectacle performed by the highly–trained Buddhist monks of China’s Shaolin Temple, performing…
Why Sing? - Opera Explored (2000): Music–writer Michael Shmith answers the question with a TV series exploring opera. 4 episodes covering the varying themes of 'Opera…
Art of Piano, The (1999): Dir. Donald Sturrock; Survey of 20th century classical pianists that starts with Hofman and ends with Arrau, taking in such diverse talents of the keyboard as Rachmaninov,…
Cirque du Soleil - Quidam (1999): Dir. David Mallet; European act Cirque du Soleil create a fascinating blend of circus, costumery, theatre and dance. Captured live in Amsterdam in 1999.
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat (1999): Dir. Steven Pimlott, David Mallet
Feat. Donny Osmond, Joan Collins, Richard Attenborough; Early, Bible–story musical from the Andrew Lloyd Webber/Tim Rice team and taken from the London Palladium production.
Life and Art - Maria Callas (1999): Dir. Alan Lewens, Alistair Mitchell
Feat. Maria Callas; Sympathetic documentary concerning the life and art of famed opera singer Maria Callas. Features extracts from 'Tosca', "Norma', 'Barber of Seville',…
Cirque du Soleil - Alegria (1998): Filmed live in Sydney in 1999, this Cirque du Soleil production combines their acrobatics, magic tricks and dance elements with a…
David Oistrakh - Artist of the People? (1998): Dir. Bruno Monsaingeon; The life of the renowned 20th century Russian violinist, who at times locked horns with the Soviet state, is told through interviews with family and…
No (1998): Dir. Robert Lepage
Feat. Anne-Marie Cadieux, Alexis Martin; An intriguing, dense drama/essay that takes an episode from dir. Lepage’s mammoth stage–show, ‘Seven Streams of the River Ota’, and…
Richter, The Enigma (1998): Dir. Bruno Monsaingeon; Lengthy biography of the supremely expressive Russian pianist Sviatoslav Richter, who only emerged from behind the Iron Curtain in the late 1950s.…
Turandot Project, The (1998): Dir. Allan Miller
Feat. Zhang Yimou, Zubin Mehta; The glorious insanity of Italian opera defeats all obstacles in this amusing behind–the–scenes account of a gigantic international…
Art of Conducting - Volume 2, The (1997): Dir. Peter R Smith; Excellent study of six more conductors of the 20th century – Sergiu Celibidache, Wilhelm Furtwangler, Erich Kleiber, Evgeny Mravinsky, Charles…
Yo-Yo Ma - Inspired by Bach Vol. 1 (1997): Dir. Kevin McMahon, Francois Girard; Cellist Yo–Yo Ma’s celebrated musical exploration of Bach’s enigmatic solo cello suites, prompted six films, attempting to complement the…
Yo-Yo Ma - Inspired by Bach Vol. 2 (Falling Down Stairs / Sarabande) (1997): Dir. Barbara Willis Sweete, Atom Egoyan
Feat. Arsinee Khanjian, Don McKellar; Cellist Yo–Yo Ma’s celebrated musical exploration of Bach’s enigmatic solo cello suites, prompted six films, attempting to complement the…
Yo-Yo Ma - Inspired by Bach Vol. 3 (1997): Dir. Niv Fichman, Patricia Rozema; Cellist Yo–Yo Ma’s celebrated musical exploration of Bach’s enigmatic solo cello suites, prompted six films, attempting to complement the…
Lord of the Dance (1996): Dir. David Mallet; Super–athletic dancer Michael Flatley (Riverdance) pursues his own vision of the Irish dancing spectacular – traditional moves updated in…
Les Miserables (Stage version) (1995): Popular stage spectacular, based on the Victor Hugo novel, is seen here in a Gala 10th Anniversary performance at the Royal Albert Hall.
Madame Butterfly (1995): Dir. Frederic Mitterand
Feat. Ying Huang, Richard Troxell, Ning Liang; The pleasures of Puccini's classic opera are well–managed in this version, amid flights of swoony lyricism. Story of love and abandonment is…
Pink Video, The (1995): Record of 1995's 'Out–rageously Pink' variety show at London's Playhouse Theatre. Includes such gay luminaries as Scott Capurro, Steve Best,…
Riverdance - The Show (1995): Dir. John McColgan
Feat. Michael Flatley; Ambitious song and dance extravaganza is a must for stageshow fans and purveyors of Gaelic culture. Michael Flatley choreographs and toplines a host…
32 Short Films About Glenn Gould (1994): Dir. Francois Girard; Built out of 32 disparate fragments, this quasi–doco on the Canadian pianist is fittingly tailored to its difficult and elusive subject,…
Cirque du Soleil - Saltimbanco (1994): One of the earliest productions from Canadian circus–theatre troupe 'Cirque du Soleil'. This is a kaleidoscopic, non–linear celebration…
Remembering Jacqueline Du Pre (1994): Dir. Christopher Nupen; Official doco on the renowned cellist suffers from a sanctimonious voice–over. Still, the best record of this talent with interviews and…
Art of Conducting - Volume 1, The (1993): Dir. Sue Knussen; Sixteen of the 20th century’s greatest conductors are studied in this top–notch, award–winning series, including: Bernstein,…
Latcho Drom (1993): Dir. Tony Gatlif; A moving testament to the plight of inter–continental gypsy culture and to the redemptive and communicative power of music, Tony Gatlif's…
Porgy and Bess (1993): Dir. Trevor Nunn
Feat. Willard White, Cynthia Haymon; Acclaimed stage–director Nunn, brings the Gershwin brother’s greatest opera/musical to life. Recorded at Shepperton Studios in 1992.
On the Town (Stage version) (1992): Leonard Bernstein's classic Broadway musical, following the misadventures of three sailors is captured here in a recent stage version, accompanied by…
Pavarotti & the Italian Tenors (1992): Dir. Joshua Waletzky; Luciano Pavarotti traces his musical influences back, through early appearances and interviews with his tutors, to reveal the rich heritage of…
Ute Lemper - Illusions (1992): Dir. Michael Houldey
Feat. Ute Lemper; Live performances of songs from Ute Lemper's 1992 album.
Jose Carreras - A Life Story (1991): Feat. Jose Carreras; Overshadowed by some of his larger than life peers, Spanish tenor Jose Carreras is here celebrated in his own right, surveying a life of perseverance…
Monster in a Box (1991): Dir. Nick Broomfield; Spalding Gray recalls the adventures that befell him while trying to write his autobiography. Colourfully delivered monologue with Laurie Anderson…
Best of Victor Borge: Act One & Two, The (1990): Feat. Victor Borge; A collection of live performances and routines from the inimitable Victor Borge – raconteur, pianist, comedian and more.
Three Tenors, The (1990): Feat. Luciano Pavarotti, Michael Carreras, Placido Domingo; Three of the greatest living voices assemble for one formidable concert appearance at the Terme di Caracalla in Rome. Arias include Nessum Dorma, O…
Mack the Knife (1989): Dir. Menahem Golan
Feat. Raul Julia, Richard Harris, Julie Walters…; Muddled adaptation of The Threepenny Opera is notable for some pretty inept dance sequences and some rather overt mugging by some well–known…
La Boheme (Puccini) (1988): Dir. Brian Large
Feat. Mirella Freni, Luciano Pavarotti; Superlative production of one of the greatest operas, conducted by Tiziano Severini.
Turandot (Puccini) (1988): Dir. Franco Zeffirelli
Feat. Placido Domingo; One of the finest versions of Puccini's opera is this filmed version of 1988 Metropolitan Opera production featuring Placido Domingo, Eva Marton and…
Aria (1987): Dir. various; This original concept film marries an impressive array of big–league (art) director's; Robert Altman, Bruce Beresford, Bill Bryden, Jean…
Carmen (Bizet) (1987): Dir. Brian Large
Feat. Agnes Baltsa, Jose Carreras; Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. Conductor: James Levine.
Opera Australia - The Gilbert & Sullivan Collection (The Mikado, The Gondoliers, HMS Pinafore, Patience, Trial by Jury) (1987): A series of five light operas from Victorian England's most celebrated collaborators William S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan, performed by the cream…
Otello (Othello) (1986): Dir. Franco Zeffirelli
Feat. Placido Domingo, Katia Ricciarelli, Justino Diaz; Exemplary operatic film with Placido Domingo perfectly attuned to the tenor of the title character.
Carmen (1984): Dir. Francesco Rosi
Feat. Placido Domingo, Julia Migenes Johnson; The definitive Carmen on film has Placido Domingo and Julia Migenes Johnson perform against a scorching Spanish backdrop. Lorin Maazel conducts…
Magic Flute, The (Mozart) (1983): Dir. August Everding
Feat. Lucia Popp, Edita Gruberova; Bayerischen Staatsoper. Conductor: Wolfgang Sawallisch.
Verdi - Rigoletto (1983): Dir. Jean-Pierre Ponnelle
Feat. Luciano Pavarotti; A splendid version of Verdi's darkly tragic opera, shot on location, with Pavarotti playing the Duke of Mantua.
Catherine Wheel, The (1982): Dir. Twyla Tharp; Complete stage performance of the modern dance extravaganza, The Catherine Wheel, as well as a behind–the–scenes peek at the production…
Pagliacci (Leoncavallo) (1982): Dir. Franco Zeffirelli
Feat. Teresa Stratas, Placido Domingo; Teatro alla Scala Orchestra/Chorus. Conductor: Georges Pretre.
Pirates of Penzance (1982): Dir. Wilford Leach
Feat. Kevin Kline, Angela Lansbury, Linda Rondstadt…; Kevin Kline and Angela Lansbury star in this hammy screen version of Gilbert and Sullivan's famous operetta.
Cats (1981): The blockbuster Broadway musical authored by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, based on T S Eliot's 'cat' poems.
From Mao to Mozart (1980): Dir. Murray Lerner; Deserving winner of the Best Documentary Oscar follows violinist Isaac Stern on his concert and tutorial tour of China in 1979. A film as moving as…
Pirates of Penzance, The (1980): Dir. Wilford Leach, Joshua White
Feat. Kevin Kline, Angela Lansbury, Linda Ronstadt…; A lively version of the Gilbert and Sullivan show, performed live at Delacorte Theatre in Central Park.
Don Giovanni (1979): Dir. Joseph Losey; Possibly the most celebrated filmed version of Mozart's greatest opera, about a notorious womaniser who teeters on the edge of a hellish fate.…
Bolshoi Ballet - Ivan the Terrible (1976): The Bolshoi Ballet present their version of Sergei Prokofiev's 'Ivan the Terrible', choreographed by Yuri Grigorovich. Stars Yuri Vladimirov, Natalya…
Tosca (Puccini) (1976): Dir. Gianfranco De Bosio
Feat. Raina Kabaivanska, Placido Domingo; New Philharmonia Orchestra. Conductor: Bruno Bartoletti.
American Film Theatre - Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris (1975): Dir. Denis Héroux
Feat. Elly Stone, Mort Shuman, Jacques Brel; With no plot or dialogue, this is surely the least theatrical of the American Film Theatre productions of the 1970s, instead comprising a revue of…
Magic Flute, The (1975): Dir. Ingmar Bergman; An immaculately delivered version of Mozart's operatic fairytale, filmed on a special replica of the original 18th century stage. At its simplest,…
Madama Butterfly (Puccini) (1974): Dir. Jean-Pierre Ponnelle
Feat. Mirella Freni, Placido Domingo; Vienna Philharmonic. Conductor: Herbert Von Karajan.
Don Quixote (1973): Feat. Rudolph Nureyev; A renowned ballet version of Cervantes masterpiece, with Rudolph Nureyev both performing and choreographing. Inspired by earlier Russian dance…
Marlene Dietrich - An Evening with (1972): Feat. Marlene Dietrich; The late great Marlene Dietrich live at the New London Theatre, England in 1972. Tracklist: I Get A Kick Out Of You, You're The Cream In My…
Bolshoi Ballet - Carmen (Poem of Dance) (1969): Another classic from the famous Russian ballet troupe, here choreographed by Alberto Alonso. Featuring Maya Plisetskaya. Narrated in English.
Barber of Seville, The (Rossini) (1967): Dir. Jean-Pierre Ponnelle; Teatro alla Scala Orchestra/Chorus. Luigi Alva, Enzo Dara, Teresa Berganza. Conductor: Claudio Abbado
Essential Opera (1967): Feat. Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo, Joan Sutherland…; Twelve excerpts from the most popular operas – Turandot, Carmen, Rigoletto, Aida, Marriage of Figaro and more, performed by opera luminaries.
Romeo and Juliet (1966): Dir. Paul Czinner
Feat. Margot Fonteyn, Rudolph Nureyev; The famed Royal Ballet production of Romeo and Juliet. This historical performance stars Margot Fonteyn and Rudolf Nureyev as the quintessential…
Bolshoi Ballet - Romeo and Juliet (1955): The Bolshoi Ballet presents Sergei Prokofiev's interpretation of Shakespeare's play. Features the daning talents of Galina Ulanova. Narrated in…
Bolshoi Ballet - Stars of the Russian Ballet (1953): Three ballets are presented by the Bolshoi Ballet – Tchaikovsky's 'Swan Lake' and 'The Fountains of Bakechisarai' and 'The Flames of Paris'.…
Cox and Box: Feat. Russell Smythe; First comic opera from Gilbert and Sullivan, here with Russell Smythe and the London Symphony Orchestra.
Distant Harmony: Feat. Luciano Pavarotti; Celebrated tenor Luciano Pavarotti is captured on his sensational tour of China. His magnificent voice combines with the cultural mystique of…
Essential Sutherland, The: Feat. Joan Sutherland; Highlights from Australian opera diva Dame Joan Sutherland's greatest roles, performing with Luciano Pavarotti, conducted by Richard Bonynge.
Herbert Von Karajan: Highlights from the German master's conducting career with the Berlin Philharmonic. Movements from Beethoven's 5th and 6th Symphonies, Rachmaninov's…
HMS Pinafore: The classic Gilbert and Sullivan musical. Played by the London Symphony Orchestra.
Leonard Bernstein: The career of the celebrated conductor/composer is examined in this documentary narrated by Lauren Bacall.
Pavarotti and Friends: Feat. Luciano Pavarotti, Brian Eno, Bono …; In a charity performance for the children of Bosnia, the world's favourite tenor shares his stage with a line–up of rock luminaries.
Peter and the Wolf: Sting narrates Prokofiev's fantasy – animated by members of the Theatre de Complicite, the puppets of Spitting Image and Claudio Abbado…
Sorceror, The: Comic opera from Gilbert and Sullivan, performed by Clive Revill and the London Symphony Orchestra.
Trial by Jury: Comic opera from Gilbert and Sullivan, performed by Frankie Howard, Kate Flowers and the London Symphony Orchestra.

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