Bruno Monsaingeon directs this profile of pianist Sviatoslav Richter, who died in 1997. Footage of Richter in concert combines with his own diary readings and interviews with colleagues including Glenn Gould and Arthur Rubinstein.

Richard Wagner's Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg has been one of the most performed operas ever since its premier in 1868. It was adopted as Germany's national operas ('Nationaloper'), not least because of its historical coincidence with the unification of Germany under Bismarck in 1871. The opera epitomizes themes of Germanness, including what many regard as blatant anti-Semitic imagery, and thus ideally suited the agenda of the Third Reich, or so it seemed. Despite or perhaps because of the ease with which the Nazis appropriated the work, it was selected as the first opera to be performed when the Bayreuth festival re-opened after the War.The first section of this volume, 'Performing Meistersinger, contains three commissioned articles from internationally respected artists - a conductor (Peter Schneider), a stage director (Harry Kupfer) and a singer (Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau), all experienced in the performance of this unusually demanding 5-hour work. The second section, 'Meistersinger and History', examines both the representation of German history in the opera and the way the opera has functioned in history through political appropriation and staging practice. The third section, 'Representations', is the most eclectic, exploring in the first place the problematic question of genre from the perspective of a theatrical historian. The chronic issue of Wagner's chief opponent, Eduard Hanslick, and his musical and dramatic representation in the opera as Bessmesser, is then addressed, as are gender issues, and Wagner's own utterances concerning the opera. Contributors: Nicholas Vazsonyi, Peter Schneider, Harry Kupfer, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Hans Rudolf Vaget, Lutz Koepnick, David B.Dennis, Klaus Van Den Berg, Thomas S. Grey, Lydia Goehr, Eva Rieger, Peter HAyng. Nicholas Vazsonyi is Associate Professor of German, University of South Carolina

A six-volume set of music documentaries by renowned film-maker Bruno Monsaingeon. This collection examines the life of arguably one of the most influential singers of the 20th century, the German lyric baritone Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau. In addition to singing, Fischer-Dieskau was also a conductor, writer, painter, reciter and teacher. Included here are several recitals with Lieder by Schumann and Schubert, the documentary 'Autumn Journey' and several master classes.

A six-volume set of music documentaries by renowned film-maker Bruno Monsaingeon. This collection examines the life of arguably one of the most influential singers of the 20th century, the German lyric baritone Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau. In addition to singing, Fischer-Dieskau was also a conductor, writer, painter, reciter and teacher. Included here are several recitals with Lieder by Schumann and Schubert, the documentary 'Autumn Journey' and several master classes.

Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau sings Franz Schubert's song cycle in this recording made for the German radio station SFB in 1979. Musical accompaniment is provided by the renowned Austrian pianist, Alfred Brendel.

Collection of archive vocal performances and documentaries recorded between 1957 and 1998. The footage includes concerti and recitals by composers such as Verdi, Wagner, Brahms and Mozart. Among the performers are Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Gundula Janowitz, Régine Crespin, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Rita Streich and Julia Varady.

This new translation of the original texts of over 750 songs allows the reader to follow, line by line, the English directly opposite the German. "Will no doubt become the standard lieder-resource for the English-speaking world..." - Choice

Incorporating archive footage of performances from the last 100 years, director Enrique Sanchez Lansch's documentary traces the history of Berlin's famous opera house. The film features contributions from Karan Armstrong, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, René Kollo and Christa Ludwig, amongst others.