Is the opera Einstein on the beach available on DVD?

Answer 1

The producers of Einstein on the Beach have steadfastly refused the option of ever having it filmed. The reason, as I understand it, is that they believe no film or video can ever replace the mesmerising experience of seeing and hearing the work in a live theatre. Having had the thrill of seeing Einstein on the Beach performed in Australia in 1992 I can appreciate their stance on this, however frustrating it is for those many thousands who, for whatever reason, could not attend a performance in 1976, 1984 or 1992. "Einstein on the Beach: The Changing Image of Opera" is not a filmed performance - it is in fact a documentary running just under an hour, a highly worthwhile examination of the 1984 staging of the work, containing memorable interviews with Glass, Wilson and some of the cast, together with a few glimpses of actual performance.