Hans Werner Henze - Komponist, Kommunist, Dandy

In the organizer's words:

The external resistance to his person and his work, experiences with National Socialism and war, the inner conflicts as a homosexual musician and even public attacks: These are all formative experiences that made Hans Werner Henze the most political composer in Germany. At the same time, with his suave appearance, his elegant clothes and his villa near Rome, he is the epitome of the dandy and bon vivant. He defied all expectations in both musical and social terms. On the occasion of his 100th birthday in July 2026, the documentary makes the presence of his music audible and visible - including previously unpublished compositions and documents by Hans Werner Henze.

Contemporary witnesses, pupils, companions and friends of Hans Werner Henze have their say in the film. Among them are Ian Bostridge, Jörg Widmann, Barrie Kosky, Michael Kerstan, Riccardo Panfili, Camilla Nylund and Edda Moser.