
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).
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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 Similar Items:
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:
Life of Verdi DVD.......2007-01-11
Apparently quite shortened. There is a better transfer........2005-09-21
A Celebration of a Musical Genius!!!.......2005-05-05
A superb TV series. Unacceptable DVD setup . PIRATED work?.......2004-03-01
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.
fine accomplishment but poor transfer.......2004-01-20
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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 Similar Items:
ASIN: B00008G6R4 Release Date: 2002-07-16 |
Customer Reviews:
Fabulous opera, and performance.......2006-07-10
TERRIBLE PERFORMANCE!!!!!!!.......2006-02-27
Leo Nucci, superb!!!.......2005-09-17
Almost.......2004-05-11
bravo bufón y todos los otros........2003-12-21
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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 Similar Items:
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:
STAND AND SING VERDI.......2006-09-13
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Famous Composers - Giuseppe Verdi
Starring: Famous Composers Manufacturer: Kultur Video ProductGroup: DVD Binding: DVD Similar Items:
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.
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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 Similar Items:
ASIN: B00009EPB7 Release Date: 2003-04-25 |
Description
Sung by: Tito Gobbi, Mario Del Monaco, Orietta Moscucci, Vito de TarantoThis 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:
Verdi: recommended for opera lovers.......2007-01-22
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Fly, Thought, on Golden Wings - Giuseppe Verdi's Life
Starring: Thomas Hampson , Nabucco Opera , and Aida Opera Manufacturer: Euroarts ProductGroup: DVD Binding: DVD ASIN: B0007XHKSK Release Date: 2005-04-19 |
Customer Reviews:
I DON'T THINK SO.......2007-05-29
Verdi's Life Rather as a Businessman, Told and SUNG by Hampton.......2005-11-08
Verdi Travelogue with Music.......2005-04-15
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The LIfe and Operas of Verdi-The Teaching Company(4part DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD Binding: DVD 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 IIIDVD:
DVD
Rumpole Of The Bailey: Series 4
Indian Summer (REGION 1) (NTSC)