Saint-Saëns l’insaisissable

Child prodigy (he gave recitals from the age of 10 and played Beethoven by heart), adored organist and pianist, feared polemicist, passionate globetrotter, but also poet and journalist, Camille Saint-Saëns fascinated as much as intrigued his contemporaries. But this Parisian who died in Algiers a hundred years ago was above all the unpredictable composer of more than 600 works, successfully tackling all genres: religious music, chamber music, symphony, opera... From Samson and Dalila to the Carnival of the Animals, from La danse macabre to Symphonie no. 3 "Organ", Saint-Saëns is never where you expect him, not hesitating to defy the musical conventions of his time.

This documentary lifts the veil on the life and personality of this free and elusive spirit. Musicologists and musicians further refine the portrait and recall the multiple contributions of this complex innovator whom stages around the world praised during his lifetime, and whom they continue to celebrate today.

Spectators who will not rush to leave during the final credits will be rewarded: the well-known French actor, director and playwright Sacha Guitry tells us a funny incident with Saint-Saëns.