Product Details

• Actors: Sting, Trudie Styler, Robert Schumann, Clara Schumann, Simon Keenlyside
• Directors: Peter Mumford, John Caird
• Format: Color, Dolby, Subtitled, Surround Sound, Widescreen
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 5.1)
• Subtitles: Dutch, English, French, Italian, Spanish
• Region: All Regions
• Aspect Ratio: 1.77:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Opus Arte
• DVD Release Date: September 29, 2009
• Run Time: 206 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B002KJ7ODK
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #150,674 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Art Times, Frank Behrens, December 2009

A Great Love Story is Told in Words and Music

The nearly legendary story of Robert and Clara Schumann was staged and filmed at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, in 2007. The production, titled "Twin Spirits," is now available in a 2-DVD set from Opus Arte, and it is impressive and unusual.

As Narrator, Derek Jacobi has center stage. On his right are actor Sting to read from Robert Schumann's letters, baritone Simon Keenlyside to sing Schumann's songs, Sergej Krylov (violin), and Iain Burnside (piano). On his left are actress Trudie Styler to read from Clara's letters, soprano Rebecca Evans to sing selections as a solo or as a duet with Keenlyside, Natalie Clein (cello), and Natasha Peremski (piano).

The first disc contains the performance, which is an expert balance of narration and dramatic readings with solos and accompaniments from the musicians. As is explained in the program notes, some of the selections were edited in various ways for theatrical effect. All in all, it provides a fascinating insight into two human beings who loved, created complex and beautiful music, and finally suffered when Robert had a mental breakdown.

The second disc offers another set of insights into the genius of the two when different members of the cast, actors and players, discuss the personalities and works of the two Schumanns. The educational value of this disc alone is great.

I would like to see similar formats used for other famous musicians--but only with such skilled artists as were used in "Twin Spirits." But when will art departments stop using white print over colored backgrounds in the booklets, which might please their eyes but ruin ours?

Product Description

Twin Spirits is a unique and intimate, live theatrical performance by a chamber ensemble of actors, singers and musicians, portraying the deep and ultimately tragic love between the composer Robert Schumann and his pianist wife Clara Wieck. In this intensely moving performance of words, song and music, the Schumanns' long separation, so formative an influence on their lives, is reflected in the division of the ensemble into male and female groups. Robert's letters to Clara are read by Sting and his songs sung by Simon Keenlyside, with accompaniments and instrumental music played by Iain Burnside and Sergej Krylov. Clara's letters to Robert are read by Trudie Styler and her songs sung by Rebecca Evans, with accompaniments and instrumental music played by Natalie Clein and Natasha Paremski. The narrator, Derek Jacobi, links together the letters and lyrics to complete the essential outline of the story. Conceived and directed by John Caird, Twin Spirits was first performed in June 2005 at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London and has since been experienced only at private performances for charity by small audiences of all ages and interests, leaving them deeply touched and inspired.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sting is the big selling point, but there is plenty of talent here, November 12, 2009

By 

Matthew Wilcox (Lansing, MI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Twin Spirits: Sting performs Schumann (DVD)

Songs from the Labyrinth
The Romantic Cello
Schumann: Dichterliebe,Brahms:Lieder

2010 will mark the 200th anniversary of the birth of Robert Schumann. Opus Arte has gotten a jump on the celebrating by releasing this 2-DVD set. The first disc is the stage performance of "Twin Spirits", in which Derek Jacobi narrates the story of Robert Schumann and Clara Wieck, and how these two great artists came to be one of the greatest husband/wife teams in classical music history.
The letters and diaries that the Schumanns wrote to each other are spoken by Sting and his wife, Trudie Styler (I should stress that Sting acts, but does NOT sing, on this DVD!). The songs of the Schumanns (and a performance of Mozart's "La ci darem" from "Don Giovanni") are sung by baritone Simon Keenlyside (featured on the November issue of BBC Music Magazine) and soprano Rebecca Evans. Songs and chamber works are performed by very talented artists, including cellist Natalie Clein.
The second disc is loaded with great extras. Cast discussions offer the artists' viewpoints on these two amazing figures. The documentary "One Heart, One Soul" features discussion from the caretaker of a Schumann museum, offering sharp insight into the lives of Robert and Clara. Add to that a chronology and a sort-of "infomercial" for Royal Opera House Education, and you've got a DVD set packed with many interesting ways to learn about Robert and Clara Schumann, two of the greatest artists of their time. Look for Sir Willard White and Alfred Brendel among the audience members!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Intimate and Artful, November 11, 2009

By 

E. Apuzzo (Nashville, TN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Twin Spirits: Sting performs Schumann (DVD)

John Caird's "Twin Spirits" is a beautiful collaboration between musicians, singers, and actors. I was hooked from beginning to end. Sting and Trudie Styler do a wonderful job of portraying Robert and Clara Schumann in words from the fun and flirty beginnings of their relationship to the bitter end. Singers Simon Keenlyside and Rebecca Evans as well as the other musicians truly bring the Schumanns' music to life. From a technical standpoint, I was really impressed with their thoughtful approaches to each piece. One of the most moving phrases I heard from Clara Schumann was in a letter she wrote: "What could be more beautiful than to clothe oneself in sound?" It really spoke to my soul. Where words didn't move me, the music did. I really felt like I was being let in on something very private and personal. By the end I was teary-eyed and completely enveloped by the Schumanns' story.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Twin Spirits, October 31, 2009

By 

V. Jackson - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Twin Spirits: Sting performs Schumann (DVD)

Twin Spirits tells the tragic love story of Romantic composer Robert Schumann and the immensely talented pianist Clara Wieck in a uniquely staged performance by the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, featuring Sting & Trudie Styler as Robert and Clara Schumann. Robert and Clara were forbidden to communicate by Clara's father so they composed long letters to each other that were secretly delivered back and forth by their friends and servants. It is these private letters that provide the backdrop of this performance DVD. The vocal part of this passionate love story is beautifully sung by Simon Keenlyside and Rebecca Evans. Schumann's compositions throughout the performance are capably and movingly played by Sergei Krylov (violin), Natalie Clein (cello), Iain Burnside (piano), and Natasha Paremski(piano). Derek Jacobi is the narrator. This performance is an opportunity to look behind the scenes of one of the Romantic era's greatest love stories.