The Dreamer

documentary
90 minutes
a film by michael harder

storyline

The film covers Thomas Quasthoffs most important steps by using footage of private moments, performances, rehearsals and photos from the early eighties until now.

For the first time ever he talks publicly about the hardships of his childhood, of having to live in a special home for handicapped people in germany in the sixties (this was in way a kind concentration camp) being ridiculed and the loneliness that comes with it. But he also talks about his way into the light and his extraordinary career.

Quasthoff`s story was witnessed by this film's director, Michael Harder, who has been a friend of TQ for almost 20 years. His video diary is an integral part of the film that offers a private close-up of the artist.

His family and friends, fellow musicians and admirers talk about their love and support for the singer. The film shares intimate moments and very personal insights in TQ's life and gives us an exclusive backstage-look of the world's most famous venues by showing rehearsals as well as performances. It's a gripping and touching story about one man's journey into the light.

cast

including

• Thomas Quasthoff, baritone
• Sir Simon Rattle, conductor
• Berliner Philharmoniker
• Daniel Barenboim, pianist and conductor
• Seiji Ozawa, conductor
• Donald Runnicles, conductor
• Orchester und der Chor der Wiener Staatsoper
• Das Bühnenorchester der Wiener Staatsoper
• Jean Yves Thibaudet, pianist
• Justus Zeyen, pianist
• Daniel Wahren, pianist

facts

• the movie was made without sponsoring
• duration of the film ca. 90 minutes
• produced and filmed in stereo with subtitles, German spoken. Other available language versions - French, English, Spanish
• filmed in blocks in 1988, 1989 as well as 2000/2001 until July 2004

world premiere

• at the October 10, 2004 in the Wiener Staatsoper in the presence of the principal actor, Herrn Prof. Thomas Quasthoff
• Deutschland-TV-Premiere at 27-11-2004, 20.15 Uhr 3sat
• TV-Partner Deutschland - ZDF at a future broadcast in 2005

Last updated: 04 november 2006