BelCanto Magazine, Issue No. 2, February 1996

Starring: José van Dam, Anne Roussel, Philippe Volter, Sylvie Fennec. Featuring: Dinah Bryant,
Jerome Pruett. Guest star: Patrick Bachau. Director: Gerard Corbiau. Screenplay: Gerard Corbiau. Producer: Jacqueline Pierreux.

Accidentally coming across this video, it was a surprise to experience the equivalent grace and visual intensity amongst a haven of beautiful music. The voice and interpretation of José van Dam held the richness of the whole film. If you are a singing pupil, lover of opera or teacher, there is a little gem to be found in the simplistic yet poignant story.

If you're looking for a cozy night in, luxuriating amid the music of Verdi, Mahler, Schumann, Mozart, Bellini, Schubert and Offenbach, then this is just the perfect film. It is not exactly heavy on plot but if you enjoy experiencing the throws of love, longing and learning, interspersed with tasteful arias, the elegance of Mahler and the quality of José van Dam, then the story becomes a little less relevant.

Reminiscent of such quality films as A Room With A View, it's set in the highlight of European life. The story begins as the bass-baritone acted by José van Dam leaves the stage at the end of a successful career and sets up a school purely for the education of two young and highly charged prodigies. It is a feast of wonderful operatic moments, with scenes that express subtlety, yet are loaded with emotional struggle. The lighting and setting is superb. This is a piece of entertainment that might not fill every moment of your mental space but will soothe, culture and most of all rest your singing spirit.