Part of a series of opera shorts by different directors. Herzog combines O Soave Fanciulla ("Oh you vision of beauty" from Puccini's La Boheme) with images of harsh life in Africa. The varied body of work was produced to celebrate six years of Sky Arts' season sponsorship of ENO and both organisations' commitment to widening the appeal of opera. Set to recordings by ENO Orchestra conducted by ENO Music Director Edward Gardner, they feature singers Peter Auty, Geraint Dodd, Mary Plazas and Mark Stone.
Direction
Herzog's collision of European opera and African documentary footage.
Sound
Auty and Plazas' soaring voices against silence and ambient hardship.
Director
Werner Herzog
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Part of six opera shorts for Sky Arts/ENO—Herzog was the only filmmaker who made audiences uncomfortable.
Herzog reportedly shot his African footage years earlier, waiting for the right context. Puccini became his weapon.
US
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