Jessye Norman Movies

Filmmaker Katharina Otto-Bernstein offers a detailed look into the world of avant-garde theater icon Robert Wilson, whose visionary works and collaborations with such varied artists as Philip Glass, Allen Ginsberg, and Tom Waits have established him as one of the world's most respected theater artists. From his early childhood in Waco, TX, to his influential work with the Byrd Hoffman School of Byrds to his internationally acclaimed "Einstein on the Beach" collaboration with Glass, his ill-fated CIVIL WarS performance, and the Black Rider collaboration with Waits that would later vindicate the failure of CIVIL WarS, Otto-Bernstein takes a linear look at Wilson's life and career while also offering informative interviews with the artist's many collaborators and, of course, extensive conversations with the man himself. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

Musician and composer Vangelis -- whose work bridges the gap between electronic music, new age, and contemporary classical -- wrote a cycle of new pieces to commemorate NASA's 2001 unmanned mission to the planet Mars. Vangelis: Mythodea -- Music for the NASA Mission, 2001 Mars Odyssey features Vangelis premiering this work in a special concert at the historic Temple of Zeus in Athens, Greece. Accompanying Vangelis and his ensemble are the London Metropolitan Orchestra (under the direction of Blake Neely), the Choir of the National Opera of Greece, and vocalists Kathleen Battle and Jessye Norman. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Pre-eminent African-American dancer and choreographer Alvin Ailey is honored in this celebratory performance. Members of his dance company perform three of his works, "For Bird, with Love," "Witness," and "Memoria." The fourth dance, choreographed by Ulysses Dove, is a ballet tribute to Ailey entitled "Episodes." Commentary for this film is provided by Judith Jamison, former principle dancer for the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, and director of the company since Ailey's death in 1989. ~ Heather M. Fierst, All Movie Guide

Richard Wagner (1813-1883) wrote the music and libretto of Die Walküre (The Valkyrie), the second of four operas in Der Ring des Nibelungen (The Ring of the Nibelungs), a continuing story based on myths. In the first opera, the evil dwarf Alberich vies with Wotan, king of the gods, for possession of a golden ring empowering its wearer to rule the world. But the giant Fafner instead gains control of the ring. In Die Walküre, Wotan leaves to his earthly son, Siegmund, the task of recovering the ring, thereby preventing Alberich from seizing it first and using its power to destroy the gods. When Die Walküre opens, Siegmund is fleeing enemies and takes refuge at night in the dwelling of Sieglinde and her husband, Hunding. Because Siegmund's enemies are Hunding's friends, Hunding challenges Siegmund to a morning duel. While Hunding sleeps, Siegmund and Sieglinde discover that they are brothers and sisters, fall in love, and run off. Fricka -- the goddess of marriage -- demands that her husband, Wotan, punish Siegmund for enticing Sieglinde into incest. Wotan at first refuses. But under Fricka's nagging, he promises to intervene in the duel on Hunding's behalf. When Wotan's daughter Brünnhilde, a warrior maiden known as a Valkyrie, implores him to spare Siegmund, Wotan angrily refuses and forbids her to assist Siegmund. But headstrong Brünnhilde defies him and attends Siegmund during the duel. It is for naught. Wotan is there, too, and enables Hunding to slay Siegmund. Wotan then banishes Brünnhilde for her disobedience. She is to be cast into a deep sleep on a mountainside. However, Wotan agrees to create a ring of protective fire around her until a hero discovers and awakens her. In a touching final scene, father and daughter embrace and bid goodbye. ~ Mike Cummings, All Movie Guide

Yo-Yo Ma, among others, is featured in this celebration of Russian composer Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky's life-work. ~ Kristie Hassen, All Movie Guide

Featuring Bill Moyers as host, this PBS program examines the popularity and influence of the enduring English Christian hymn "Amazing Grace." Written by former slave trader-turned-minister John Newton and first published in 1779, the hymn has been popular across generations and has been adapted to many types of music, from country & western to gospel to bag pipes. Newton set his words to music, which this program speculates may have originated from a song he heard African slaves singing. The program includes singers Judy Collins, Jessye Norman, Johnny Cash, Jean Ritchie, and the Boys Choir of Harlem singing various renditions and discussing the helpful impact of the hymn in the lives of many people, including alcoholics and convicts. ~ Steve Blackburn, All Movie Guide

Ariadne auf Naxos begins with a lengthy prologue involving the premiere of an opera based on the story of Ariadne. A conflict develops when the opera's composer discovers that a frivolous comedy has been added to the bill after his new masterpiece. Tensions increase when it is decreed that, because of time restrictions, both pieces are to be performed together so that there will be time for a fireworks display afterward. The cast and creators struggle to quickly come up with a way of making this impossible situation work, and the opera begins in earnest. Ariadne, discarded by her lover Theseus, is on the island of Naxos, awaiting death. A troupe of comedians arrives and tries to entertain her, but her grief is too great. Zerbinetta, leader of the troupe, tries to persuade her that she is foolish to want death in such a manner, and Ariadne leaves her in anger. Zerbinetta and her pals then cavort about, with various ones vying for Zerbinetta's attention, which she eventually gives to Harlekin. Ariadne is then told that a ship is approach; assuming it is Hermes coming to take her to her death, she awaits it. However, it turns out to be Bacchus, a beautiful, young god whom Ariadne at first takes to be Theseus. Bacchus, struck by Ariadne's beauty, tells her who he really is and takes her with him to live in the heavens. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide