This is a new high in Renee Fleming's occasionally troubled career,
a wonderful high at that, as she sings the music of both Mahlers in
Bruce Beresford's film about Alma Mahler, "Bride of the Wind."

Accompanied by Jean-Yves Thibaudet (as she was during her most recent
concert tour), Fleming sings Alma's "Bei dir ist es Traut" and "Laue
Sommernacht; Gustav's Rueckert No.  5 ("Ich bin der Welt abhanden
gekommen"), arranged by Stephen Endelman, who is responsible for the
film's music direction and original music.

Abbado and the Vienna Philharmonic play Mahler symphony excerpts:  Nos.
3, 6 and 8 - in an unusual move, disregarding the obvious "soundtrack"
choices of Nos.  2, 4, and 9 - although, yes, we get the Adagietto from
No 5.  Endelman's works are performed by Frantisek Preisler and the Czech
Philhamonic Chamber Orchestra.  Opening date for the film is June 8 on the
East Coast and LA, June 15 in N.  Calif.; the soundtrack is published by
Deutsche Grammophon.

Sarah Wynter, a young actress with only two small roles to her credit,
plays Alma Mahler-Gropius-Werfel-[Kokoschka], Jonathan Pryce is Mahler,
Vincent Perez is Kokoschka.

(Why not find another title instead of duplicating Shannon Drake's 1992
novel about pirates - I think - in Virginia?!)

Janos Gereben/SF, CA
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