Immortal Beloved

Part of the HPO Composers’ Festival with an introduction by HPO Composer-in-Residence Abigail Richardson-Schulte!

This biography chronicles the life of the classical composer Ludwig van Beethoven (Gary Oldman) and his painful struggle with hearing loss. Following Beethoven’s death in 1827, his assistant, Schindler (Jeroen Krabbé), searches for an elusive woman referred to in the composer’s love letters as “immortal beloved.” As Schindler solves the mystery, a series of flashbacks reveals Beethoven’s transformation from passionate young man to troubled musical genius.

Abigail Richardson-Schulte

Composer Abigail Richardson-Schulte was born in Oxford, England, and moved to Canada as a child. Ironically, she was diagnosed incurably deaf at five. Upon moving to Canada, however, her hearing was fully intact within months. Her music has been commissioned and performed by major orchestras, presenters, music festivals and broadcasters including the Festival Présences of Paris. Abigail won first at the prestigious UNESCO International Rostrum of Composers which resulted with broadcasts in 35 countries. She won the Karen Kieser Prize (CBC), Dora Mavor Moore Award for Best New Opera, Quenten Doolittle Award from New Works Calgary and a Hamilton Arts Award .