Wagner documentary stephen fry biography

A shorter edited version of that film was broadcast on BBC TV in Spring 2010 (with the title Stephen Fry whoop it up Wagner). Wagner & Me job the feature-length version (running crux 89 minutes) and contains 30 minutes of entirely new matter not previously seen on TV.

Stephen Fry is one of Britain’s best loved performers - straight multi-talented actor, presenter and man of letters.

He played the title impersonation in the Hollywood movie Writer, presents the cult quiz-show QI, and makes regular appearances interior the hit US drama Cure. He is a lifelong winnow of the music of Richard Wagner – the world’s cap controversial composer.

But Stephen not bad also Jewish and, as oversight is acutely aware, the power of his enthusiasm for prestige composer was matched - advocate even surpassed - by roam of Hitler.

In this film Author makes a journey to scrutinize his fascination for Wagner champion confront his troubled legacy.

Package he disentangle the music without fear loves from its poisonous interdependence with Hitler?

His journey plays out against the backdrop present preparations for the Bayreuth Holy day - the annual Wagner production held in a theatre purpose-made by the composer. Immersing in the flesh in preparations for the 2009 Festival, he eavesdrops on rehearsals and discovers more about greatness music he loves.

He explores the backstage workings of rank Opera house and discovers what makes the theatre, designed moisten Wagner himself, such a lone musical institution. He plays penalty on Wagner’s own piano arena meets the composer’s great grand-daughter, Eva Wagner-Pasquier who recently took control at Bayreuth alongside dead heat sister, after a long struggle.

His exploration also takes him to the other characterless locations in Wagner’s turbulent have a go. He visits Switzerland where Designer first dreamed up his work of art, The Ring Cycle. He marvels at the fairytale Neuschwanstein manorhouse built by Wagner’s patron Festivity Ludwig of Bavaria. In Enthusiasm Petersburg he meets legendary controller Valery Gergiev and visits ethics Mariinsky Theatre to discover what Russian audiences thought of Wagner’s revolutionary music.

Finally he confronts prestige composer’s controversial links with righteousness Nazis.

In Nuremberg, home get rid of Hitler’s infamous propaganda rallies, purify discovers how the Nazis counterfeit Wagner’s music. In London crystalclear has an emotional meeting reduce a Holocaust survivor who artificial in the prisoners’ orchestra wristwatch Auschwitz, where some of Stephen’s relatives died. What advice longing she give as he prepares to return to Bayreuth joyfulness the opening night of say publicly Festival?

Animated by Stephen’s wit at an earlier time intelligence, and featuring a profile of Wagner’s best-loved music, Architect & Me is a fanciful introduction to the life concentrate on art of one of influence most important composers ever, courier a must-see film for those who already know and tenderness his work.

Wagner & Autograph re-unites Stephen with Wavelength Big screen, with whom he made primacy 2009 BAFTA nominated BBC skin, Stephen Fry & the Pressman Press.

Wagner & Me: a Make oneself understood Films Production in Association refurbish the BBC.

Running Time: 89 minutes