Friday, March 02, 2007

March 5 - What's Opera, Doc? showing

This is one of Chuck Jones' absolute best Bugs Bunny shorts.

At the Goethe-Institut Washington, 812 Seventh St. NW, Washington, DC. Further information: 202-289-1200 or www.goethe.de/washington.

Wagner in Hollywood Film Series

In conjunction with the Washington National Opera's performance of Die Walküre, part two of Wagner's Der Ring, we present Hollywood classics featuring his music.

Monday, March 5, 6:30 pm

Introduction by Michael Jeck, Programming Manager, Films, MhZ Networks; Programmer emeritus, American Film Institute

What’s Opera, Doc?
USA, 1957, 16mm, 7 min., color, Director: Chuck Jones

What's Opera, Doc? is a short animated cartoon directed by Chuck Jones in which Elmer Fudd chases Bugs Bunny through a seven-minute operatic parody of Wagner's operas, particularly The Ring of the Nibelung (Der Ring der Nibelungen).

AND

The Scarlett Empress
USA, 1934, 35mm, 104 min., b/w, Director: Josef von Sternberg

Young Princess Sophia of Germany is taken to Russia to marry the half-wit Grand Duke Peter, son of the Empress. She dutifully produces a son of questionable fatherhood. After the old empress dies, Sophia engineers a coup d'etat, does away with Peter, and becomes Catherine the Great.

The Scarlett Empress’ soundtrack included part of Richard Wagner’s The Valkyrie (Die Walküre, 1856).

No comments: