ERMIONE @ TIROLER FESTSPIELE ERL

Rossini’s masterpiece “Ermione”, staged and conducted by Gustav Kuhn at the Tiroler Festspiele Erl, as “4K TV opera”.

Gioachino Rossini's tragic opera “Ermione” (1819) is without doubt one of his most misunderstood and unjustly forgotten masterpieces. It was not until 1987 that the opera was staged again – by none other than conductor Gustav Kuhn, who now takes his “discovery” to the next level: At this year’s Tiroler Festspiele Erl, his festival in the idyllic alpine surroundings, acclaimed Rossini expert Kuhn will once more conduct and stage “Ermione” for a special “TV opera” performance.

In a unique collaboration with Kuhn, filmmaker Felix Breisach will be adapting this staging of “Ermione” for TV in a shortened version. At this year's Tyrolean Festival Erl, he brings the antique fabric back on stage in full length. TV director Felix Breisach, in collaboration with Gustav Kuhn, has adapted Rossini's opera specifically for television, emphasizing the dynamics of the piece and the music with its visual implementation and filming "Ermione" as an intimate chamber opera - close to the singers, to the plot, to the inner conflicts of the characters.

The look of his “TV opera” will be unique, as the viewer gets up close and personal with the singers during rehearsals. They will fill you in during the shortening sequences by staying in character to narrate the plot, while preparing for their next scene in the wings. With the cameras moving on stage and between the singers, Breisach is transforming Rossini’s work into an intimate chamber opera. The film preserves the dramatic arc, the inner conflicts of the characters and the musical highlights and brings out the very essence of “Ermione”. The Orchestra of the Tiroler Festspiele Erl will be joined by a hand-picked cast. The singers of the Accademia di Montegral, which was founded by Gustav Kuhn, will be accompanied by the orchestra of the Tyrolean Festival Erl.

Shot in 4K DCI Scope
90‘ version

A production of felix breisach medienwerkstatt on behalf of ORF and UNITEL in collaboration with the Tyrolean Festival Erl

Broadcast: August 20th 2018, 22.30, ORF 2

English title Gioacchino Rossini's "Ermione"
Recording location Tyrolean Festival Erl
Production year 2018
Duration 90'
Director Felix Breisach
Production Company felix breisach medienwerkstatt on behalf of ORF and UNITEL
Co-Producer the Tyrolean Festival Erl