Play by Peter Ustinov, about a return to the modern world by Beethoven, who knocks on the door of a London music critic. He is fitted with a hearing aid, and l istens in horror to his works. The critic wishes Beethoven to complete his tenth symphony, and one night the piano emits a few notes by...
Don Giovanni, opera in two acts by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Italian libretto by Lorenzo da Ponte) that premiered at the original National Theatre in Prague on October 29, 1787. The opera’s subject is Don Juan, the notorious libertine of fiction, and his eventual descent into hell. For Mozart, it...
In a series of four documentaries, Marcel Ophuls pays tribute to his father Max, and in this last one discusses his role as an assistant director on "Lola Montès".
Angelo has been drafted into the Italian Army in World War II. He does not like people shooting at him, so he tries all sorts of tricks to avoid being caught up in the action. However, events always seem to lead him back to the fighting.
Two competing antique dealers have their shops opposite each other in a small shopping street. The distinguished Roeder deals in valuable art objects, while the owner of Billy's Art Shop offers cheap imported goods from Hong Kong.
Salzburg Marionette Theatre: The Abduction from the Seraglio
01995HD
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's "Abduction from the Seraglio" is a famous spectacle that is enigmatic and exotic at the same time - and just because of this it is not only perfect for the fantastic stage sets of the marionette theatre, but for Ustinov's winking presentation as well. Already in 1782 the...
Salzburg Marionette Theatre: The Marriage of Figaro
01995HD
With the opera "Le nozze di Figaro" commenced the remarkably successful cooperation between Mozart and his librettist Lorenzo da Ponte. The first night of "Figaro", presumably Mozart's most perfect musical comedy, was held in Vienna on May 1st, 1786. It is based on Beumarchais' "scandalous" comedy...
World-famous underwater adventurer Jacques Cousteau is on a journey on the surface of the sea. Along with Lucien Malavard and Bertrand Charrier, Cousteau invented a new kind of sailing vessel using a state-of-the-art, high-tech turbo sail. The tall, computer-controlled cylinder of metal sails the...
A selection of highlights from Sir Peter Ustinov's appearances on Parkinson. A look back at a multitalented writer, director, actor and ambassador for Unicef.
The Queen of the Night has begged Prince Tamino to free her daughter Pamina from the clutches of the High Priest Sarastro, who has abducted her. Together with the bird-catcher Papageno, Tamino enters Sarastro's realm to seek her. When he finds her, the two fall in love, but they have to have to...
This is one of the Omnibus programmes about the Russian impresario Diaghilev. Presented by Peter Ustinov, this episode focuses on Diaghilev’s early life and the first seasons of his legendary ballet company Ballets Russes from 1909 until the outbreak of war in 1914. Friends and colleagues,...
Così fan tutte, comic opera in two acts by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart that premiered in Vienna on January 26, 1790. It is the last of his three operas with librettist Lorenzo da Ponte, the first two being The Marriage of Figaro (1786) and Don Giovanni (1787). Presented by the Salzburg Marionette...
Peter Ustinov hosts this haunting 1980 documentary exploring the world's nuclear weaponry and the fragile system that deters either side from initiating the first nuclear strike. Although the world's political climate has mellowed since the Cold War era, Nuclear Nightmares takes the viewer back in...
