Cinema
Großfürstin Alexandra
Wilhelm Thiele · 1933
Synopsis
Russia, the 1910s. Grand Duchess Alexandra, wife of Grand Duke Michael, has a fine soprano voice. War and then revolution drive her out: she reaches Vienna believing her husband dead. There she trains her voice, joins the Opera and falls in love with Martin Werner, the conductor who coaches her. But her successes draw the attention of her husband, who in turn leaves for Vienna.
Context
Shooting began at the end of June 1933 in Vienna and at the State Opera; the film was released in Vienna on 17 October, then in Berlin on 22 November, despite a crew in which Jews were numerous. Franz Lehár's score stands alongside arias from Aida, and the soprano Maria Jeritza sings her own parts. The sets are by Artur Berger; Arthur Rebner wrote the screenplay with Hanns Sassmann and wrote the lyrics of the songs.
Who it is for
A hundred minutes of singer's film, in which the sung numbers take up a large part. You have to like the genre, and know that the star was not an actress but an opera voice.
Prizes and reception
A typical singer's film of the thirties, which critics judged conventional but polished, with the Vienna Opera filmed as it really was.
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