Twin Spirits

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Alan Titherington

Twin Spirits
Review added by
Alan Titherington

Portraying the love of Robert & Clara Schumann in words and music
Certificate: N/A
Running Time: 206 mins
Retail Price: £19.99
Release Date: 01/10/2009
Content Type: Movie

Synopsis:
Twin Spirits is a unique and intimate, live theatrical performance by a chamber ensemble of actors, singers and musicians, portraying the deep and ultimately tragic love between the composer Robert Schumann and his pianist wife Clara Wieck. In this intensely moving performance of words, song and music, the Schumanns' long separation, so formative an influence on their lives, is reflected in the division of the ensemble into male and female groups. Robert's letters to Clara are read by Sting and his songs sung by Simon Keenlyside, with accompaniments and instrumental music played by Iain Burnside and Sergej Krylov. Clara's letters to Robert are read by Trudie Styler and her songs sung by Rebecca Evans, with accompaniments and instrumental music played by Natalie Clein and Natasha Paremski. The narrator, Derek Jacobi, links together the letters and lyrics to complete the essential outline of the story. Conceived and directed by John Caird, Twin Spirits was first performed in June 2005 at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London and has since been experienced only at private performances for charity by small audiences of all ages and interests, leaving them deeply touched and inspired.

Robert Schumann (in words) STING
Robert Schumann (in song) SIMON KEENLYSIDE
Violin SERGEJ KRYLOV
Piano IAIN BURNSIDE

Clara Wieck (in words) TRUDIE STYLER
Clara Wieck (in song) REBECCA EVANS
Cello NATALIE CLEIN
Piano NATASHA PAREMSKI

Narrator DEREK JACOBI
Devised and directed for the stage by JOHN CAIRD

Recorded at the Royal Opera House, London, December 2007


Repertoire
1. Robert Schumann - Préambule from Carnaval, Op. 9
2. The story begins
3. Robert Schumann - Bittendes Kind from Kinderszenen, Op. 15
4. The child Clara
5. Robert Schumann - Hasche-Mann from Kinderszenen, Op. 15
6. Reflections
7. Robert Schumann - Von fremden Ländern und Menschen from Kinderszenen, Op. 15
8. A mystical proposal
9. Chopin - Adagio from Variations on 'Là ci darem', Op. 2
10. Forbidden love
11. Robert Schumann - Stille Tränen from Zwölf Gedichte, Op. 35
12. The thunderstorm
13. Clara Schumann - Er ist gekommen in Sturm und Regen, Op. 12 No.2
14. Separation
15. Robert Schumann - Duet, Er und Sie, Op. 78 No.2
16. Clara's career
17. Clara Schumann - Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 7 - Romanze
18. The shepherd's daughter
19. Robert Schumann - Romanze No.2 from Drei Romanzen, Op. 94
20. A marriage diary
21. Robert Schumann - Marche des Davidsbündler contre les Philistins from Carnaval, Op. 9
22. The most beautiful present
23. Mozart - Duet, 'Là ci darem' from Don Giovanni, K.527
24. The year of the song
25. Robert Schumann - Die Rose, die Lilie, die Taube, die Sonne from Dichterliebe, Op. 48
26. Robert Schumann - Wenn ich in deine Augen seh' from Dichterliebe, Op. 48
27. Robert Schumann - Ich grolle nicht from Dichterliebe, Op. 48
28. Mortality
29. Clara Schumann - Sie liebten sich Beide, Op. 13, No.2
30. Parting
31. Robert Schumann - Ich hab im Traum geweinet from Dichterliebe, Op. 48
32. The last embrace
33. Robert Schumann - Stille Liebe from Zwölf Gedichte, Op. 35
34. Alone in his room
35. Robert Schumann - Träumerei from Kinderszenen, Op. 15
36. Married in eternity
37. Robert Schumann - Frage from Zwölf Gedichte, Op. 35
38. Written in the stars above
39. Robert Schumann -Trio No.1 in D minor, Op. 63 - Finale: Mit Feuer

Special Features:
Cast Talk: Director John Caird talks to the instrumentalists, actors and singers, the narrator Derek Jacobi and the musicologist Daniel Gallagher

Documentary: One heart, one soul

Robert and Clara Schumann chronology

My House: The work of Royal opera House Education

Related Websites:
http://www.roh.org.uk/
http://www.opusarte.com/