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The Paris of Great Composers (A portée de Paris, Director: Anne Imbert Presentation: What do Mozart, Prokoviev, Faure, Debussy, Offenback, Stavinsky, Liszt, and Verdi have in common? Apart from being musicians, they all lived in Paris for a special period in their lives. With the new and exclusive series, The Paris of Great Composers, Eurochannel presents a monthly documentary about the relationship between great classical musicians and the City of Lights. The program brings viewers closer to Paris during the time of these masters, providing an intimate and nostalgic look at a vibrant period in its history. Paris’ ambiance is timeless, and together with Eurochannel, viewers will take an exclusive trip to the streets, homes and neighborhoods that held sway over the hearts of these amazing artists. By following in their footsteps, we learn more about these musicians and their art; it is like a museum tour of their innermost minds. The Paris of Great Composers is another example of Eurochannel’s commitment to showcasing the best of European culture. This time we are pleased to show you the Golden Age of Paris, and the favorite haunts of the many musical geniuses who passed through, including lounges, bars, and operas. The documentaries are narrated by Anne Imbert, who is also known for other recent hits on Eurochannel, such as Germaine Dulac, Questions about Cinema, Alexander Sokurov – Questions about Cinema and Erik Satie, Son of the Stars and André Malraux. Synopsis: Verdi – 65, avenue des Champs Elysées: Paris 8 ème: Following the success of The Force of Destiny, Verdi went to Paris. There he met Perrin, a new composer, who asks him to compose an unprecedented spectacle. Debussy – 56 rue Cardinet: In 1902, Claude Debussy goes to live at number 56 rue Cardinet, in París. At that time, he begins working on his masterpiece, Pelleas et Melisandre. But who inspires the lyrics to this opera? With an unstable love life during this time, he had a relationship with Gabrielle Dupont, but then left to stay with her friend Rosalie Texier, a model who he would later marry. Even during this period, he had a romantic relationship with singer Thérèse RogerAiring Times Offenbach – 11 rue du Lafitte: Offenbach graced the Parisian street, Chaussée D'Antin, now known as Grands Boulevards, in 1858. However, he was not to stay long; this nomadic composer changed residencies many times during his stay in the city, moving just ahead of the changes that swept through Paris in this tempestuous era. Plan Haussmann, a program for the modern urbanization of Paris as ordered by Napoleon III was foremost among these changes, and Offenbach, along with many other composers, were displaced by the changing streets. Fauré – 135 boulevard Malesherbes: During the summer of 1887, Gabriel Faureé began to compose his Requiem. As if his father’s death weren’t enough, his mother also died the same year he began writing. Fauré, however, denied any relationship between those events and his Requiem. Debussy – 56 rue Cardinet: In 1902, Claude Debussy goes to live at number 56 rue Cardinet, in París. At that time, he begins working on his masterpiece, Pelleas et Melisandre. But who inspires the lyrics to this opera? With an unstable love life during this time, he had a relationship with Gabrielle Dupont, but then left to stay with her friend Rosalie Texier, a model who he would later marry. Even during this period, he had a romantic relationship with singer Thérèse Roger. Mozart – 8 rue du Sentier: This series could not begin with any composer other than Mozart. On March 11th, 1778, Austrian Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and his mother moved to number 8, rue du Sentier. In search for work, the famous composer visits the most frequented places in the city and meets its most influential people. Prokofiev – 5 rue Valentin Hauy: Sergei Prokofiev fled the Russian revolution in 1917, arriving in Paris in the year 1930. Making his home on Valetin Haüy in the neighborhood of Breteuil, he began to work on his Piano Concerto No. 4 under the auspices of Austrian pianist Paul Wittgenstein. Wittgenstein commissioned the work, but was prevented from playing it because he could not understand the notes. This is but one of the many tales hidden in the mysterious streets of Paris.
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