FULL IMPROMPTU Movie UK 1991 Judy Davis, Hugh Grant, Mandy Patinkin
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Information on the Performance
- Work Title: Impromptu
- Composer: Chopin Frederic
- Libretto: Sarah Kernochan Libretto Text, Libretto Index
- Venue & Opera Company: Studio and On location France
- Recorded: 1991
- Type: Staged Opera Live
- Singers: N/A
- Conductor: Chris Walker
- Orchestra:
Information about the Recording
- Date Published: 1991
- Format: DVD
- Quality Video: 4 Audio:4
- Subtitles: nosubs
- Video Recording from: AMAZON
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THIS PERFORMANCE
Impromptu is a 1991 period drama film directed by James Lapine, written by Sarah Kernochan, produced by Daniel A. Sherkow and Stuart Oken, and starring Hugh Grant as Frédéric Chopin and Judy Davis as George Sand. It was shot entirely on location in France as a British production by an American company. Its main filming location was at the Chateau des Briottières outside of Angers, in the Loire Valley.
Plot
Since getting divorced, Baroness Amantine-Lucile-Aurore Dupin (previously Baroness Dudevant, the successful and notorious writer of sensational romance novels), has lived under the pseudonym George Sand, in Paris, and dressing like a man. In her romantic pursuit of the sensitive Frédéric Chopin, whose music she fell in love with before meeting him, George/Aurora is advised that she must act like a man pursuing a woman, though also advised to avoid damaging Chopin’s health by pursuing him. With this advice she is deterred by a fellow countrywoman (the mistress of Franz Liszt) the Countess Marie d’Agoult, acting like she is smitten with Chopin to prevent a relationship between Chopin and Sand.
Sand meets Chopin in 1836 in the French countryside house of the Duchess d’Antan, a foolish aspiring socialite who invites artists from Paris to her salon to feel cosmopolitan. Sand invites herself, hoping to meet Chopin, not knowing that a few of her former lovers are also in attendance. A small play written by Alfred de Musset is presented, satirizing the aristocracy and specifically mocking their hostess. When Chopin protests at this lack of manners, de Musset bellows and a fireplace explosion ensues.
Chopin is briefly swayed by a beautifully written love letter ostensibly from d’Agoult, actually written by, and stolen from, Sand. Eventually Sand wins over Chopin when she proves that she wrote the letter, reciting it to him passionately; after buying a copy of her memoir, he finds the text of the letter in the book.
Chopin is then challenged to a duel by one of Sand’s ex-lovers. He faints during the face-off. Sand finishes the duel for him and nurses him back to health in the countryside, solidifying their relationship.
Near the end of the movie, Sand and Chopin dedicate a volume of music to the countess, although this only suggests that she has had an affair with Chopin, causing a falling-out with her lover Liszt. Sand and Chopin depart for Majorca, relieved to escape the competitive nature of artistic alliances and jealousies in Paris.