The Music Lesson

In front of a portico, a music teacher teaches music theory to a group of young women, including Julienne Mathieu. A piano stands on the right side. A staff is drawn at the top of the portico. The four singers have extendable necks, and their heads, as they elongate, form notes. Beneath the heads, thus detached from their bodies, and against a black background, white cut-out paper figures come to life. Then the heads return to the women's shoulders. From a white ball placed in the middle of the painting, eggs emerge and are placed on the staff. Then stick figures also emerge, forming the stems of the notes. Finally, stick figures come to life. This scene is repeated three times with different animations.

Directed by Segundo de Chomón, The Music Lesson leans on a strong ensemble — Julienne Mathieu — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about music titles of 1909.