BORTZ, BERGMAN, AND THE BACCHAE {SWEDISH WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES} (TV)
Summary
This documentary provides a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process behind Bergman's production of Daniel Bortz's opera, "The Bacchae." Highlights of this program include the following: the cast of "The Bacchae" prepares for opening night; Bergman discusses the opera with the cast during a pre-rehearsal meeting; costumes are shown being created; Bergman explains the story of Dionysus to the orchestra; Sylvia Lindenstrand, who portrays Dionysus, sings to Eva Osterberg, who portrays a Bacchant; Bergman directs Lindenstrand; Bergman explains the symbolic items in the opera; he rehearses Peter Mattei, who portrays Pentheus; Donya Feuer, the choreographer, and Kjell Ingebretsen, the musical director, discuss the music and the movement of the opera; Daniel Bortz talks about the purpose of his music; Berit Lindholm rehearses for her part as the leader of the Bacchants; Mariane Orlando rehearses for her part as the woman who represents Dionysus at ceremonies held by the Bacchants; Bergman directs the Bacchant women; Eva Osterberg discusses her feelings about the production, the importance of the choir, and the choir's work with Donya Feuer; Donya Feuer leads a warm-up; Bergman rehearses with Sten Waniund, who portrays Cadmus, and Laila Andersson-Palme, who portrays Teiresias; as he tries to explain how to portray fear, Bergman recalls a scene from his film "Sawdust and Tinsel"; stage manager Goran Osterberg works on the production; Bergman works with lighting engineer, Nils Norlen; Bergman rehearses the interrogation scene between Pentheus and Dionysus; Bergman discusses the scene in which Dionysus lures Pentheus into dressing as a woman; diaglogue coach Kerstin Forsmark works with Peter Mattei; Lennart Mork, the set designer, creates scenery and props at workshops in Hagarnas; Bergman rehearses with Peter Stormare, who plays the messenger; Bergman explains why there is no need to force an emotion when acting; Bortz talks about the importance of a good story in an opera; cast memebers Camilla Staern and Lena Hoel discuss how the music and libretto must work together and cast member Ingrid Tobiasson talks about musical phrasing; Sten Waniund and Anita Soldh, who portrays Agave, rehearse with Bergman; and the assistant director Irene Frykholm rehearses the bows. Throughout the program brief clips from the stage and television productions of "The Bacchae" are shown.
Details
- NETWORK: Sveriges Television (Sweden)
- DATE: November 30, 1992
- RUNNING TIME: 1:11:08
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:37407
- GENRE: Arts documentaries
- SUBJECT HEADING: Documentaries; International Collection - Sweden; Opera; Theater - Directing
- SERIES RUN: Sveriges Television (Sweden) - TV, 1993
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Mans Reutersward … Producer
- Susanna Stevens … Writer, Translation and Subtitles by
- Ingmar Bergman
- Daniel Bortz
- Laila Andersson-Palme
- Donya Feuer
- Kerstin Forsmark
- Irene Frykholm
- Lena Hoel
- Kjell Ingebretsen
- Sylvia Lindenstrand
- Berit Lindholm
- Peter Mattei
- Lennart Mork
- Nils Norlen
- Mariane Orlando
- Eva Osterberg
- Goran Osterberg
- Anita Soldh
- Camilla Staern
- Ingrid Tobiasson
- Sten Waniund