The Bach Festival of Philadelphia

Tuesday, March 18

Screening of the movie "Mein Name ist Bach"

5:30pm - German Society of Pennsylvania [directions] Admission is Free

The 2003 film is based on the 1747 meeting in Potsdam, Prussia, between JS Bach and Prussian King Frederick II, known in history as Frederick the Great. After his visit Bach actually did compose a work entitled "A Musical Offering," also mentioned in the film.

As far as Frederick's sexual preferences are concerned, it is well known that although he married, he only saw his wife occasionally, and no children resulted from the union. Throughout his adult life Frederick never showed much interest in women: his interests were music, philosophy, and fighting wars. The one place in the film where some dramatic license occurred was in the treatment of Frederick's sister, Princess Amalia. But the real Amalia was a handful, just as she was in the film. In her early 20's Amalia actually eloped and became pregnant, thus ruining any chance of marrying her off to another royal house. An enraged Frederick hunted her down, had her marriage annulled, had her ex-husband thrown in prison for 10 years, and sent her to an abbey, where she spent the remainder of her life.

Through the fine acting, the sets, the costumes, and the edgy way the main characters were portrayed, the film is an excellent contemporary interpretation of an actual historical event. The movie won the Best Picture Award at the Swiss Film Prize in 2004.