The Life of Verdi

The Life of Verdi


Starring:Ronald Pickup, Omero Antonutti, Carla Fracci, Daria Nicolodi, Eva Christian, Adriana Innocenti, Giampiero Albertini, Stefano Coratti, Geoffrey Copleston, Pier Luigi Giorgio, Luciano Pavarotti, William Berger, Burt Lancaster, Enrico Fagnoni, Antonello Fassari, Leopoldo Trieste, Luciana Palombi, Maria Callas, Mario Del Monaco, Anna Maria Lattanzio
Director: Renato Castellani
Studio: Kultur Video
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Description
"Sumptuously costumed and splendidly staged, this elaborate cinematic biography blends documentary with drama to tell the story of a great artistic genius who became the musical voice of a nation."* Booklist. Filmed on location in Italy, Leningrad, London, and Paris, this epic mini-series took several years to create, requiring more than 100 actors, 1800 extras, and 4000 costumes. This uncut version dubbed in English is 4 hours longer than the edited version that originally aired on Public Television to great acclaim. This spectacular film is filled with Verdi's glorious music, sung in the original Italian and taken from past recordings featuring such operatic legends as Renata Tebaldi, Maria Callas, Luciano Pavarotti, and Birgit Nilsson. Stars Ronald Pickup, who plays Verdi with a "subdued, dignified passion" and Carla Fracci, the famed Italian ballerina, who is "absolutely superb" as Giuseppina Strepponi, Verdi's second wife (Clive Barnes).
The Life of Verdi
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Life of Verdi DVD
  • Apparently quite shortened. There is a better transfer.
  • A Celebration of a Musical Genius!!!
  • A superb TV series. Unacceptable DVD setup . PIRATED work?
  • fine accomplishment but poor transfer
The Life of Verdi
Starring: Ronald Pickup , Carla Fracci , Giampiero Albertini , Omero Antonutti , and Lino Capolicchio
Director: Renato Castellani
Manufacturer: Kultur Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0000DI86N
Release Date: 2003-11-18

Description

"Sumptuously costumed and splendidly staged, this elaborate cinematic biography blends documentary with drama to tell the story of a great artistic genius who became the musical voice of a nation."* Booklist. Filmed on location in Italy, Leningrad, London, and Paris, this epic mini-series took several years to create, requiring more than 100 actors, 1800 extras, and 4000 costumes. This uncut version dubbed in English is 4 hours longer than the edited version that originally aired on Public Television to great acclaim. This spectacular film is filled with Verdi's glorious music, sung in the original Italian and taken from past recordings featuring such operatic legends as Renata Tebaldi, Maria Callas, Luciano Pavarotti, and Birgit Nilsson. Stars Ronald Pickup, who plays Verdi with a "subdued, dignified passion" and Carla Fracci, the famed Italian ballerina, who is "absolutely superb" as Giuseppina Strepponi, Verdi's second wife (Clive Barnes).

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars Life of Verdi DVD.......2007-01-11

I saw the series when it was shown originally on PBS TV many years ago.
The edition I purchased is technically somewhat dated and has been slightly edited, with some interesting scenes -such as the account of Verdi's last hours from his faithful friend and libretist Arrigo Boito- deleted. The movie was filmed largely on location, which makes for a very realistic setting. For example the scenes done in Busseto, which aside for modern conveniences is as charming as it must have been a century ago are particularly moving.
There is no option to select language sub-titles, and die-hard italianophiles will have to settle for English. The performance by all actors is superb, and after a while one forgets they are not speaking Verdi's mother tongue.
The film Life of Verdi is a must-have for Verdi aficionados.

1 out of 5 stars Apparently quite shortened. There is a better transfer........2005-09-21

People should be aware that the original Italian run for 14 hours. Considering that any buyers of this item are surely an opera and Verdi entusiast seaking real information, will be shortchanged with this set. The version once presented by PBS few years back, was 10 hours.
First, the movie is from 1984 for those inquiring. And YES it is posible to have a superb transfer to DVD. With 11 hours (still shortened), no Burt Lancaster and excellent video and sound (Dolby Digital 2.0). Just secure the transfer from Euromedia Vision (c/ Diputacion 288 bajos, 08009 Barcelona. www.euromediavision.com). English (BBC/male) and spanish. Seven DVD. One problem for most of you which do not have an all-regions/all-systems DVD player, is that the set is Region 2 and PAL. There is only one thing wrong with this set. At the completion of episodes 2 to 6, they actually use only the credits of the 7th episode only, thus depriving us of the information of who sings what. Not nice.
There are three episode in Verdi's life that I regret were not presented. 1] The pre-premier delivery of all the music parts (including the tenor) of La donna e mobile, to prevent the leaking of such contagious tune by musicians and workers. I can only imagine the stress. 2] The missed early oportunity of even a glance betwen Verdi and Toscanini, in the second chair of the cellos at La Scala orchestra during rehersals and premier of Otello. He eventually saw him conducting, recommending him to the baritone Maurel, who recomended to Leoncavallo, eventually resulting in Toscanini conducting the premier of Pagliacci. 3] His role in 1899 as arbitrer betwen tenor Tamagno (original Otello), in favor of Toscanini, about tempis. Well, I suppose you can't include everything, but we can hope for a "director's cut"......of the italian original.

5 out of 5 stars A Celebration of a Musical Genius!!!.......2005-05-05

+++++

This mini-series dubbed in English on DVD is a dramatized biography of one of the great opera composers, Giuseppe Verdi (1813 to 1901). The narrated biographical events are played out against the background of Italy's struggle for unity and independence, a cause to which Verdi (Ron Pickup) dedicated his art.

There is also romance in this movie as Verdi meets the significant women in his life: Margheritta (Daria Nicolodi), Giuseppina (Italian ballerina Carla Fracci), and Teresa (Eva Christian). All three along with an older Verdi are shown on the DVD's container cover.

The music in this movie is fantastic. It has recordings of leading operatic voices such as Luciano Pavarotti, Maria Callas, and Renata Tebaldi. The movie is stunningly photographed and includes actual highlights of many of Verdi's operas such as Nabucco (Nebuchadneezzar, King of Babylon, 1842), I Lombardi, Ernani, Rigoletto, La Traviata (The Lost One), Un Ballo in Maschera (A Masked Ball), Aida, Otello (his greatest lyric tragedy) and Falstaff (1893, his last opera).

Each part of this movie has a brief introduction given by a female host. Here is her introduction for the entire series:

"This is a seven-part dramatization of the life of the world's most important and beloved operatic composers. For the opera fans in the audience, we hope it will enhance your enjoyment...but you don't have to be a devoted opera buff to enjoy this exceptional docudrama. Some seven million dollars and two years time went into the making of [this mini-series]. It was filmed on location in Italy, France, England, and the Soviet Union. Great care was taken to ensure the accuracy of historical events, settings, and costuming as you will see. The result is an intriguing portrait of a man, a country, and the events that shaped their destinies. The series is a compelling human drama and a tribute to a man that gave us more than twenty-five operas."

Ron Pickup as Verdi gives, I feel, an exceptional performance. As well, I feel that the male English narrator (who is not given credit) also does a good job. (Note that in this version, Burt Lancaster is not the narrator.)

The sound quality of this DVD is very good. However, occasionally there are split second disturbances in picture quality. Because I was so absorbed in the story, I did not find these distracting. I think its better to own this DVD than to own the video cassette of this mini-series.

Finally, this mini-series focuses on Verdi's operas giving the impression he composed only operas. However, this is not true! He also composed beautiful vocal and chamber music.

In conclusion, this is a spectacular mini-series/movie. Be sure to see it so as to learn more about the man who said, "It is better to invent reality than to copy it."

(1982 or 1983 or 1984; 4 discs; 10 hr, 30 min; 7 parts; first 6 parts about 90 min each, last part 120 min; made for TV; full screen)

+++++

5 out of 5 stars A superb TV series. Unacceptable DVD setup . PIRATED work?.......2004-03-01

Some years ago, I had watched the original TV series that is superb, and left me with vivid memories. This is one of the very best biographies of a great artist that I ever watched on TV. A landmark. Definitely 5-star. I have great admiration and respect for the quality and authenticity of all the works of director Renato Castellani. So I was really happy to find that I could buy this biography of Verdi in DVD's.

However, this company KULTUR and its staff deserve to be taken to the woodshed -- maybe to court?

From a user point of view, there are several problems: (1) the quality of the recording is poor, video tracking pops-up from time to time. Images of large scale views such at the stage in La Scala are not sharp. It is readily apparent that this DVD series has not been made from the original tapes from some copy: this is conspicuous at the start of Episode 2 where the introducer's blue dress "bleeds" startingly on the screen. [I have not yet found the time to watch the last three episodes. Maybe there are surprises there too. I hope not.] (2) Switching from one episod to another is a true hassle because the programing is not set up properly. The episodes do not load on their own and start only after repeated clicks. Left unattended, the opening trailers at the start of each episode keep cycling endlessly. (3) There is also no background information about the series on paper: not on the cover box, not in a simple paper flyer inside the CD containers. The cover box only carries a quote from a review in a source named as "Booklist". The only basic information on how the series were made is embedded in the original PBS introductions to each episode.

Disappointedly, but not objectionable there no additional information inside the CDs in the form of video interviews of the director or actors, nor segments deleted from the original movie, which a very common value- added item in DVD movies, particularly expected in a 4-DVD series.

The strength and beauty of the original work is such that once the action gets started we are immediatly absorbed in Verdi's life and music. But not thanks to Kultur.

Commercially, could it be that Amazon.com is selling a pirated product? I am suspicious, but I am not a professional in those matters. Why suspicious? because, I was looking for the release date of the original TV series, but I could not find it anywhere. To my astonishment there is no reference to the date of the movie nor any listing of main actors on the box, or inside. On closer scrutiny, I then noticed also that there is not copyright statement on the cover box. I distincly recall also that such statements -- and the date of production again --are absent from the end trailers of credits at the end of every individual episode I have watched so far.

Is this KULTUR outfit legitimate? or were these DVDs made in some US or Asian garage?

Conclusion: a superb biography of one of the greatest opera composers of all times that is worth being part of a permanent DVD collection. But, a flawed and suspicious DVD transfer by KULTUR.

4 out of 5 stars fine accomplishment but poor transfer.......2004-01-20

On all counts the original presentation of "Life of Verdi" was a well-conceived and well-executed treat on all counts. What fails us now is Kultur's amateurish transfer. First of all, viewers can't skip past Robert Peter's introductions (which could easily have been omitted but at least she, unlike Burt Lancaster on PBS, could pronounce "Verdi"). Second, the transfer is from a flawed video tape. Tracking problems occur occasionally which they wouldn't had Kultur bothered to go back to the originals. How cheap!! Now watch them remaster it and us who have it forced to decide whether to get a whole new set of something that should have been done RIGHT THE FIRST TIME!!
Verdi - Rigoletto / Viotti, Machado, Nucci, Mula, Luperi, Verona Opera
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Fabulous opera, and performance
  • TERRIBLE PERFORMANCE!!!!!!!
  • Leo Nucci, superb!!!
  • Almost
  • bravo bufón y todos los otros.
Verdi - Rigoletto / Viotti, Machado, Nucci, Mula, Luperi, Verona Opera
Starring: Verdi , Aquiles Machado , Leo Nucci , Inva Mula , and Mario Luperi
Manufacturer: Tdk DVD Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00008G6R4
Release Date: 2002-07-16

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Fabulous opera, and performance.......2006-07-10

I've become a great fan of TDK operas, with their wondeful color. Rigoletto is, of course, simply a great opera, Verdi's best, in my not so humble opinion. The opening scene of the hunchback's sadness could break any one's heart. Everything was well done, with repeats of the "avenge' aria and. of course, 'Donna mobile" Maybe there's one better, but this DVD completely satisfied me.

1 out of 5 stars TERRIBLE PERFORMANCE!!!!!!!.......2006-02-27

This is the worst DVD in my opera collection. And I have over 50 of them.

Aquiles Machado as the Duke is horrible. He has bad vocal technique and sounds strained in his high voice. His characterisation is also unconvincing.

Inva Mula simply butchers the role of Gilda. She does not have good control of her high voice and therefore cannot give us effortless high notes. And her voice does not have a sweet innocent quelity. But she does look the part.

Mario Luperi (Sparafucile) sings badly and has an ugly voice. His acting is also unconvincing.

Sarah M'Punga (Maddalena) is more convinsing and does not sing all that badly and characterises well with her voice. Her use of portamento in her singing underlines well her characters sleezyness. Her acting is almost convincing.

Leo Nucci as Rigoletto is the only one who deserves praise. He looks the part. Acts convincingly and has a good dramatic baritone voice witch he uses with great musicianship.

Unfortunately his efforts are not enough to drag this production out of the toilett.
If you want a much, much better production of Rigoletto you should buy the one with Wixell, Pavarotti, Gruberova and the Vienna Philharmonic. Or any other production for that matter.
Just DO NOT BUY THIS DVD!!!

5 out of 5 stars Leo Nucci, superb!!!.......2005-09-17

In this version of this moving opera masterpiece, in the Arena, Leo Nucci shows once more he is the perfect and ultimate "baritono verdiano".
His performance here, both singing and acting, is superb, touching, and full of nuances, and, if you love Verdi as I do, you should not miss it.

4 out of 5 stars Almost.......2004-05-11

The music is from heaven, the story is from hell. I'm an Atheist. This and Tosca are my two favorite operas, and this is the first time I've seen Rigoletto. It is all beautiful (except maybe the breathless parting of the "lovers" in Rigoletto's house). My familiarity with and liking for operas is not so erudite as others', but I have ears and feelings. The picture and sound of this disc were perfect. I had no idea Nucci was such a tiny little man (never saw him before), and he was not my concept of Rigoletto, but I was able to accept him as authentic, and his slight size made him seem more vulnerable and helpless, a more perfect Rigoletto than I had previously imagined. And I loved him dearly when he broke character to take his bows and smiled, he was a beautiful man then. His voice also was not so resonant or rich as I'd come to think of as Rigoletto's. The only Gildas I've heard are Sutherland, Callas, Sills and Gruberova. Except Gruberova, I prefer them all to this one. Though she had a beautiful little voice and did very well with it. I couldn't help feeling I was watching/hearing one of the small, live Donizetti rarities I've collected over the years. On CD of course, not DVD. Everyone in this performance was good (2 of the numbers were encored), but frankly the whole thing seemed a little 2nd rate to me. I expect that comment to get this "review" ignored or crushed into oblivion with negative responses (like just about everything else I've ever said in an Amazon "review"), so I'll amplify that feeling by saying also that I thought Nucci's final exclamation which ended the opera lacked impact, it seemed anti-climactic, like something he'd said before, which he had. It seemed weak and understated when it should have overwhelmed the entire audience with pain, grief and horror. It was a pleasant Rigoletto, the music was marvelous, I don't know whether I'd recommend it because I don't know what else is available, but I do know I'd rather have one of my CDs of the show enacted instead of this version.

5 out of 5 stars bravo bufón y todos los otros........2003-12-21

Evidentemente esta es en mi humildo opinión la mejor grabación e interpretación de esta gran ópera. todos, y digo todos sin excepción son casi perfectos, este término dicho sea de paso sólo lo podemos aplicar a las obras de Dios. La simpatía de Machado es sin igual en el mundo de la ópera, casi parece un muchacho; Gilda es una figura tremendamente agradable, tanto al oído como a la vista. He visto hasta ahora todas las grabaciones disponibles en DVD, reiterando mi opinión sobre esta maravillosa grabación. Nucci merece un comentario aparte, sencillamente es grandioso como el trágico padre que ha perdido a todo lo que tiene en la vida. Cinco estrellas es poco para él en especial. Bravo y larga vida a este maravilloso cantante.
Verdi - I Vespri Siciliani / Dunn, Luchetti, Giaiotti, Nucci, Chailly, Bologna Opera
Average customer rating: 3 out of 5 stars
  • STAND AND SING VERDI
Verdi - I Vespri Siciliani / Dunn, Luchetti, Giaiotti, Nucci, Chailly, Bologna Opera
Starring: Leo Nucci , Veriano Luchetti , Bonaldo Giaiotti , Susan Dunn (II) , and Gianfranco Casarini
Director: Luca Ronconi
Manufacturer: Kultur Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0007TFIAQ
Release Date: 2005-04-26

Description

Specially commissioned for the Great Exhibition of Paris of 1855, Verdi's I Vespri Siciliani is set at the time of the French occupation of Sicily in the 13th century and concerns the Sicilians' efforts to liberate their land. The vesper bell is rung to mark the wedding of Duchess Elena (Susan Dunn), a Sicilian patriot to Arrigo (Veriano Luchetti), son of the French governor of the island ; and acts as a signal for the slaughter of the unarmed French by Sicilian patriots. With the Chorus and Orchestra of the Teatro Communale di Bologna.

Customer Reviews:

3 out of 5 stars STAND AND SING VERDI.......2006-09-13

This opera doesn't have any action. The leading characters and chorus sing about things happening, but you don't see them. There is little stage movement on the three video productions I have of this opera and the same was true of the two performances I saw of Vespri at the Metropolitan. Consequently you need six terrifc singers to bring this work to life. For me, this opera doesn't take off until the father/son duet in Act Three. From that moment to the end of Act Five, Verdi's music catches fire and never stops. The Teatro Alla Scala DVD has the best cast (now at a budget price) - Studer, Merritt, Zancanaro and Furlanetto with Riccardo Muti giving the music a run for its money. Unfortunately the production iself is silly, pointless and boring. Those are not good ingredients for an opera you have to look at for three hours. The Bologna DVD has the better production, if at times laughable. Their production looks like the hanging gardens of Babylon. There couldn't have been a potted plant left in Bologna that wasn't on that stage! They also have curtains opening and closing for no apparent reason. The downside in this DVD is the weak cast including Dunn, Luchetti, Giaioti and Nucci with Conductor Chailly failing to inspire his singers. Susan Dunn is down right boring. She looks like she doesn't want to be there and promising herself she will never sing this roll again. I hope she kept her promise. I've seen this artist in other operas and she was first rate. Vespri simply wasn't a fit for her. The best overall production is still the Met's which unfortunately is not available on DVD. I have the laser disc (remember them?) copy which is still my top pick whenever I need a Vespri fix.
Famous Composers - Giuseppe Verdi
Average customer rating: Not rated
    Famous Composers - Giuseppe Verdi
    Starring: Famous Composers
    Manufacturer: Kultur Video
    ProductGroup: DVD
    Binding: DVD

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    1. Famous Composers - Ludwig Van Beethoven
    2. Famous Composers - Giacomo Puccini
    3. Famous Composers - Franz Schubert
    4. Famous Composers - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
    5. Famous Composers - Johann Sebastian Bach

    ASIN: B000BZITAW
    Release Date: 2005-12-20

    Description

    Verdi was the most important figure in the succession of 19th-century Italian opera composers. He led a dramatic life which included political involvement and personal tragedy. His life manifested itself in his work, highlights of which include Nabucco, the opera that brought him his first greatsuccess. Other works of his were La Forza del Destino, La Traviata, Aida, and after a brief retirement Otello and Falstaff. These operas were indicative of the style for which he is famous, possessing dramatic intensity, soaring melody, and subtle characterization. His works are still among the most popular in the international operatic repertoire.
    Verdi: The King of Melody
    Average customer rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    • Verdi: recommended for opera lovers
    Verdi: The King of Melody
    Starring: Pierre Cressoy , Anna-Maria Ferrero , Gaby André , Sandro Ruffini , and Camillo Pilotto
    Director: Raffaello Matarazzo
    Manufacturer: View Video
    ProductGroup: DVD
    Binding: DVD

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    Similar Items:
    1. The Life of Verdi
    2. The Most Famous Opera Arias
    3. The Queen

    ASIN: B00009EPB7
    Release Date: 2003-04-25

    Description

    Sung by: Tito Gobbi, Mario Del Monaco, Orietta Moscucci, Vito de Taranto
    Accompanied by the Rome Opera Orchestra.
    Scenes from Nabucco, Ernani, Rigoletto, Trovatore, Traviata, Aida, Otello, Falstaff.
    Starring: Pierre Cressoy, Anna Maria Ferrero and Gaby Andre

    This colorfully filmed drama of the life and loves of the great composer, Guiseppe Verdi, is played against a background of the great operas of the 19th Century. A tender love story of Verdi's successful and turbulent life, we hear more than 20 excerpts from his acclaimed operas.

    "Rafaello Matarazzo's direction is outstanding in the musical sequences, Tino Santoni's photography richly captures the Romantic period and Pierre Cressoy is an impassioned Verdi." -Hollywood Reporter

    The Patriarch of Italian opera began his career with the bel canto composers (Bellini, Donizetti, and Rossini) and ended it as a contemporary of Debussy and Richard Strauss. Verdi's operas voiced his liberal views by making biting social and political comment, often bringing him into conflict with the censors.

    This nostalgic look at Verdi: The King of Melody, paints a romantic picture of the composer's struggle for success, his loves, and his musical triumph over the forces of political domination. Poignant and tender, filled with pathos, it is heart-rending in both its sad moments as well as in its times of joy. A theatrical and critical success when the feature film was released in the US in 1974, Verdi: The King of Melody, will touch your heart.

    DVD BONUS FEATURES:
    Over 45 Scene Selections
    Instant Access to Arias
    Verdi Biography
    Verdi List of Works & Premieres
    Verdi Trivia
    Bonus Music: ENRICO CARUSO Sings Four Verdi Arias
    Dolby Digital Stereo Audio
    Digitally Mastered Audio & Video

    Customer Reviews:

    3 out of 5 stars Verdi: recommended for opera lovers.......2007-01-22

    As I had seen this picture in the movie theatre, in the fifties; I always wanted to see it again.
    The film is old and of poor quality, but extremely recomended for Opera (mainly Verdi's) lovers.
    The best of the film are the performances from Mario del Monaco and Tito Gobbi, 2 sacred monsters.
    Fly, Thought, on Golden Wings -  Giuseppe Verdi's Life
    Average customer rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
    • I DON'T THINK SO
    • Verdi's Life Rather as a Businessman, Told and SUNG by Hampton
    • Verdi Travelogue with Music
    Fly, Thought, on Golden Wings - Giuseppe Verdi's Life
    Starring: Thomas Hampson , Nabucco Opera , and Aida Opera
    Manufacturer: Euroarts
    ProductGroup: DVD
    Binding: DVD

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    ASIN: B0007XHKSK
    Release Date: 2005-04-19

    Customer Reviews:

    4 out of 5 stars I DON'T THINK SO.......2007-05-29

    I belive this production was great it shows Verdi the person the politician and the nusicean. since we are talking about 45 minutes of broadcast we can't expect more. Hamspon singing in there is just great.
    and of couse it is artificial becouse they can't put the hole orchestra in there. Hampson talks abuout verdi in his most theatricle way talking about verdi.It is fair for what we expected about his. they mention some of his masterpieces.as mutch as I remember they talk about his style. but you can not expect to lecture about his style in 45 minutes.
    Hampson give there his charisma.
    it seems to me that he wasn't involve with the script, and it is a pity.
    If you wach voices of our time when he and wolfram rieger talk about mahler you will know what I think. I missed there the special talk of Hampson

    3 out of 5 stars Verdi's Life Rather as a Businessman, Told and SUNG by Hampton.......2005-11-08


    This portrayal is very sketchy indeed. The earlier reviewer used the word "superficial", and I can't agree more. There isn't a hint about Verdi's ideas on music or his values in life, nor his own musical development, nor his influence on Puccini...

    Hampton is a gifted baritone, but he doesn't strike the audience as a well trained narrator. Note further that Hampton the narrator would suddenly switched his role to Hampton the singer/performer, and he is the only singer in this entire film in the entire Verdi repertoire. The result, it sounds like some of the musicals in the 60s when the characters would go straight into singing whilst in the middle of their dialogues and this time, we have Hampton switching right from his monologues to operatic singing rather out of the blue.

    3 out of 5 stars Verdi Travelogue with Music.......2005-04-15

    Although it is not stated up front, this DVD, a rather superficial video-biography of Giuseppe Verdi originally aired on Austrian and Japanese TV in 2001, hosted charmingly by Thomas Hampson, is associated with a CD by Hampson issued in 2001, a CD in which Hampson, accompanied by The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment conducted by Richard Armstrong, sings a number of Verdi arias. If you are interested in hearing Hampson sing Verdi, I'd suggest you buy that CD, because in this DVD we get Hampson lip-synching (while being filmed in appropriate Verdi-related sites) to four of the arias he sings on the CD. As for the biography itself, it is notable only for showing us in richly detailed videography various sites associated with Verdi's life: his birthplace in Roncole, the church in Busseto where he played the organ, La Scala and other sites in Milan, the Opéra in Paris, and finally Casa di Riposo, the home Verdi founded for retired musicians. Hampson recounts, not always entirely accurately or clearly, incidents from Verdi's life. And then, often with no clear indication as to why, he breaks into song. His singing, of course, is wonderful. One does wonder why, from Il trovatore, he sings the Count di Luna's 'Tutto à deserto ... Il balen' in French as 'Tout est désert ... Son regard.' Also included are 'O vecchio cor, che batti,' from I due Foscari; 'Pietà, rispetto, amore' from 'Macbeth; and 'Di Provenza il mar' from La Traviata.

    If you are interested in a detailed filmed biography of Verdi, I'd suggest you look for the 1984 dramatized 'The Life of Verdi,' starring Ronald Pickup. The visual aspect of this original VHS production (now in DVD as well) is not as beautiful as that in the present release, but at least it is not superficial.

    One must say, however, that if one is mildly interested in Verdi, and interested in something of a Verdi-related travelogue with music (nicely provided, one must add, by Hampson) this might be for you.

    TT=60 minutes; in English, without subtitles; Sound PCM Stereo

    Scott Morrison
    The LIfe and Operas of Verdi-The Teaching Company(4part DVD)
    Average customer rating: Not rated
      The LIfe and Operas of Verdi-The Teaching Company(4part DVD)

      ProductGroup: DVD
      Binding: DVD

      Verdi, GiuseppeVerdi, Giuseppe | By Composer | Opera | Classical | Musicals & Performing Arts | Genres | DVD | Video
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      ASIN: B000PMBQYC

      Product Description

      Course Lecture Titles La bell'Italia Beginnings Oberto Nabucco Nabucco, Conclusion and Risorgimento I Lombardi I Lombardi, Conclusion and Ernani Macbeth I masnadieri Luisa Miller and Rigoletto Rigoletto, Act I continued Rigoletto, Acts I, II and III Rigoletto, Act III continued Rigoletto, Conclusion and Il trovatore Il trovatore, Conclusion and La traviata Un ballo in maschera Un ballo in maschera, Conclusion La forza del destino Don Carlo Don Carlo, Conclusion Aida Aida, Conclusion The Requiem The Requiem, Conclusion Otello Otello, Conclusion; Falstaff Falstaff, Act I, Sc. 1 Falstaff, Act I, Sc. 1, Conclusion; Sc. 2 Falstaff, Act I, Sc. 2, Conclusion; Act II, Sc. 1 Falstaff, Act II, Sc. 1, Conclusion; Sc. 2 Falstaff, Act II, Sc. 2 continued Falstaff, Act II, Conclusion; Act III

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