On February 9th, Cinematheque Luxembourg hosted a special screening; "Die Austernprinzessin" accompanied by a live performance by the Orchestre de Chambre du Luxembourg. The theatre was full with audience from all ages, whom truly enjoyed this visual and musical spectacle. I am grateful to be part of this unique experience.
The Oyster Princess (Die Austernprinzessin) is a parody of the rising bourgeoisie and the decline of the aristocracy in the beginning in 20th century. This 1 hour long silent cinema comedy was made in 1919 by Ernst Lubitsch, yet, the story never gets old.
In a society that is driven by "ownership" of commodities, people, love and friendship also becomes a commodity. The value of people is also determined by either their money, their titles or the number of followers on social media. As what really matters to humanity is forgotten, finding the true love is a matter of luck.
The Orchestre de Chambre du Luxembourg (OCL), a vital part of Luxembourg's cultural scene for 50 years, composed around forty talented musicians. The special performance of Oyster Princess, featured Olivier Dartevelle, the orchestra's first solo clarinetist, not only conducting but also composing the original music.
The music perfectly complemented the silent film, capturing the essence of early 20th-century style. During the dance scenes, the orchestra transformed seamlessly into a lively "big band," adding an extra layer of energy to the performance. After the film concluded, they treated the audience to an encore of the Foxtrot style. The enthusiastic crowd, staying until the very end, served as a testament to the performance's success. I am looking forward to watch the future silent movie performances of Orchestre de Chambre du Luxembourg in Cinematheque !
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