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RE: Film Review: The Death of Maria Malibran, by W. Schroeter || A Conversation Between Foucault and the German Director, pt. 1
"The Death of Maria Malibran" is an experiment. On childishly brutal, bypassing all sorts of rules and alleged of decency. The canvas is in the hands of a skilled artist, who does not convey the truth to the viewer, but pulls it out of his chest and throws it into the gray, cold ocean of reality. It is only necessary to realize the fact that such a movie is not created for the sake of primitive fun. Rather, it is the dialogue of the author with himself in an old, forgotten room where you can do whatever you want without reference to possible fame and artistic immortality with a further imitation on the part of the army of adherents.
I totally agree with you that the work of Werner Schroeter is very personal, "a dialogue with himself", as you said; that's why I find so many oeneric elements within it.
On the other hand, those personal elements shine because of the constant metaphors of passion. For example, during one of the tableau, while the Stravinsky's music is on the background, there is a clear disconnection between both actresses on screen...until the part of the Sacrifice in the music starts. Suddenly we have one of the two staring directly at the other, until they kiss: the alienation stops, and they become one entity on screen.
As said by Foucault, the work is very passional, and hence, very personal, as you said. Love is an isolated force, different to the communicative pulse of passion.