Three Tenors: From Caracalla to the World

It was the most successful classical concert: 30 years ago, Luciano Pavarotti, Plácido Domingo and José Carreras performed together with Zubin Mehta for the first time as "Three Tenors" in the thermal baths of Caracalla on the occasion of the Football World Cup in Italy. 1.6 billion spectators watched the concert worldwide - and it catapulted classical music into a completely new dimension. The recording of the Three Tenors with classics such as O Sole Mio and Nessun Dorma became the most successful recording in the history of classical music. Just in time for the 30th anniversary, the film Three Tenors: From Caracalla to the World showed the emotional highlights of the first concert and the sequel in Los Angeles. Previously unpublished backstage material shows the tenors unadorned and offers a fascinating insight into what takes place beyond the spotlight. The film takes a completely new look at the concert legend. For the first time, Plácido Domingo, José Carreras, conductor Zubin Mehta and Luciano Pavarotti‘s widow Nicoletta Mantovani talk about José Carreras' struggles with leukemia, their rivalries and friendships, their spectacular contract poker and life as an opera star. Three Tenors: From Caracalla to the World is a musical concert event documentary. In addition to detailed musical excerpts, the protagonists tell of the greatest scoop in classical history. Classical music manager Mario Dradi reports that initially no one believed in his idea of the Three Tenors. Conductor Zubin Metha explains the tension between the three singers and his role as tamer of the "band". DECCA manager Didier de Cottignies explains why the singers made a deal that was unfavorable to them when they first appeared and how he invented "a monster" with this concert event. Hollywood composer Lalo Shifrin tells how he invented the successful medleys of O Sole Mio and New York, New York in a Parisian café. Journalist Norman Lebrecht defends his criticism of the concert but acknowledges its paramount importance and legendary director Brian Large gives insights into the biggest media event in classical music. The documentary ends with the death of Luciano Pavarotti and sheds light on the aftermath of the Three Tenors from Paul Potts to Sir Bryn Terfel. Musically, we experience a kaleidoscope of diverse music arrangements: from fascinating arias of Belcanto to medleys of the American songbook. O Sole Mio, Nessun Dorma, Granada, Sinatra´s My Way and many more.