Documentary about Andreas Scholl.
Andreas Scholl (Musical education):
He was seventeen when his gifts were identified by the Chorbuben's voice coach from the Darmstadt Music Academy and he also sang for the tenor/countertenor Herbert Klein who advised him that there were only two places he should study: either in London or at the early music conservatoire in Basel, the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis. Since an uncle had introduced him to the voices of Paul Esswood and James Bowman, the leading European countertenors of the day, he took Bowman as his role model. He sent a tape to René Jacobs asking him to say whether he had talent and Jacobs invited him to come and see him at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis. At this point, he had no first degree and could not even read music, having always learned by heart as a chorister, while this conservatory only offered post-graduate courses. He sang a Schubert song for an admissions board which included Jacobs and was offered a place on the strength of his exceptional voice. At the Schola, his teacher was Richard Levitt and from his second year he studied with Jacobs. Violinist Chiara Banchini and soprano Emma Kirkby were major influences as he began to specialise in the music of the Baroque and he also studied with soprano Evelyn Tubb and lutenist Anthony Rooley. As well as his Diploma of Ancient Music, for which his external examiner was James Bowman, he collected prizes from the Council of Europe and the Fondation Claude Nicolas Ledoux, and awards from Switzerland's Association Migros and Ernst Göhner Foundation. Andreas Scholl now teaches interpretation in the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis, succeeding his own teacher, Richard Levitt, and is in much demand for masterclasses.
George Frederic Handel - Giulio Cesare in Egitto (HWV 17):
Act II.
In Cleopatra's palace, she uses her charms to seduce Cesare. She sings praises of Cupid's darts and Cesare is delighted. In Tolomeo's palace, Achille pleads with Cornelia to accept him, but she rejects him. When he leaves, Tolomeo also tries to win her, but is also rejected. Sesto enters the garden of the palace, wishing to fight Tolomeo for killing his father. In Cleopatra's palace, Cesare hears the sounds of enemies approaching. Cleopatra reveals her identity and asks Cesare to flee, but he decides to fight. In Tolomeo's palace, the fight between Tolomeo and Sesto is interrupted by Achille's announcement that Cesare (in the attempt to run from soldiers) has jumped from the palace window and died. Achille asks again for Cornelia's hand in marriage but is turned down by Tolomeo. Sesto feels devastated and tries to kill himself but is prevented from doing so by his mother; he repeats his vow to kill Tolomeo.
Tags: Andreas Scholl George Frederic Handel Giulio Cesare in Egitto HWV 17
