Monteverdi is generally regarded as the father of European opera. His "Poppea" is a blood and thunder melodrama, set in Nero's Rome and loaded with passion, jealousy, murder and savage ambition.

In this series we present biographies of France's greatest singing stars. While plenty of attention is paid to each singer's biography, their songs form the central point of each film: words and music that trace the lives of these artists far better…

A portrait of the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, the world's oldest orchestra never to have been associated with an aristocratic court! Our film recounts the highs and lows of the orchestra's extensive and fluctuating history.

Paco's openness to the recording of a highly personal film portrait of himself means that we can gain an up-close look into the personality of this fascinating musician.

This film is a perfomance of the work recorded in Tokyo during the Deutsche Oper Berlin's 1993 Japan tour in Götz Friedrich's highly respected, much-discussed staging.

The 420-member company of the Deutsche Oper Berlin brought "Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg", "Tristan and Isolde" and "Lohengrin" to Tokyo. The privately-operated Tokyo Ballet performed "Kabuki" and "M", in Berlin. Our film takes a look at the work…

The Orpheus Chamber Orchestra was formed 20 years ago by a group of top New York musicians. Its objective was to create an ensemble in which every member would have such a meaningful input on musical matters that no conductor would be necessary…

This film gives us unique insight into the dedication and involvement of one of the world's greatest conductors. The programme includes footage of rehearsals and performances with the Berliner Philharmoniker, the Wiener Philharmoniker and the Gustav…

A magnificent Christmas concert, with music ranging from motets to popular Christmas standards, performed by Leipzig's world famous boys' choir. A fascinating half-hour documentary examines the history of the choir from its foundation in the early…

Sir Peter Ustinov traces the life and achievements of Felix Mendelssohn. Sketches and drawings by Mendelssohn, extracts from his fascinating correspondence and music performed by the Gewandhausorchester and the Thomaner-Chor are just a few of the…