THE MUSIC TEACHER
Belgium, 1988, 100 minutes, Colour.
Jose van Dam, Anne Roussel, Philippe Volter, Sylvie Fennec, Patrick Bauchau.
Directed by Gerard Corbiau.
The Music Teacher was written and directed by Gerard Corbiau who has a particular interest in music and, a few years later, was to make the biography of the castrato, Farinelli.
This film focuses on an ageing singer played by opera star Jose Van Dam. When he retires from performance, he takes in young singers and trains them. The film focuses on two of the students played by Anne Roussel and Philippe Volter. The film shows the delight in music, the intentions of the instructor, the response of the pupils – as well as their relationship.
However, there is rivalry because of the jealousy of Prince Scotti (Patrick Bauchau) and his assistant. They try to undermine the progress of the two young singers.
Excerpts from opera and a number of songs are included, especially the Lider (**?? Should that be Lieder? Not sure, just a feeling, probably wrong) of Mahler.
1.An Oscar-nominated film? Its quality? Music film? Opera? From Belgium?
2.The period, costumes and décor, theatre, country estates?
3.The importance of the music, the score, the selection of operatic excerpts, Mahler’s songs?
4.Joachim, the opera singer, his age, performance, his relationship with his wife? His cough, the decision to retire? The farewell, the return to the country? Life in the country? His relationship with his students, Sophie and her enrolling, training? The lessons? Jean and his arrival? Continuing the training? The thief, the chase? The singing, the master and the students working together? The issue of the rivalry with Prince Scotti? The competition? Death? Achievement?
5.Prince Scotti, arrogant, the concert, his victory, the competitiveness? His motivation, his protégé? The plan, the performance? The contest?
6.Sophie, her singing, the quality of her voice, her ambitions? Her relationship? The thief? Love and relationship? The contest, the duet? Her doubts? Winning?
7.The thief, on the run, the market? Coaching, the invitation, learning? His relationship with Sophie? The contest?
8.The portrait of Joachim’s wife, at home, her continued devotion?
9.The portrait of the world of music, training, performance?
10.The quality of the singing, the voices, the range of music, the delight? Creative presentation of classical music?
11.The blend of drama – with the touches of melodrama?
