Ken Russell: Lisztomania (1975)

It was with relatively few complications that the new musical universe gave birth to a brand new genre – the rock opera. But what exactly is a rock opera? It’s difficult to say exactly, as rock operas generally appeared as vinyl LPs, in album form. They were then later adapted for the stage and even for film. One of the genre’s cinematic giants was Ken Russell, about whom we hear surprisingly little these days. Lisztomania is just one of his brazen, scandalous and impossibly original creations. It’s a bit like The Adventures of Picasso (1978), but in the world of music. At the heart of the opera is the figure of Franz Liszt, who can be considered the first ever pop star in many respects. But those seeking to quietly bow their heads in reverence to the immortal composer, pianist, conductor and music teacher should steer well clear of this film.