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I Pagliacci (1954)
Character: Tonio
Franco Corelli is featured in this 1954 filmed version of Leoncavallo's opera, along with Tito Gobbi. The film also features opera arias from "The Rose of Stambul," "Aida," "Cavalleria Rusticana," "Igemisco" and "Il Trovatore." 104 minuts, black & white.
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First Opera Film Festival (1948)
Character: William Tell
An anthology of four abbreviated operas: "William Tell" by Rossini, "The Marriage of Figaro" by Mozart, "Don Pasquale" by Donizetti, and "Carmen" by Bizet. Filmed in Italy with major opera stars, and accompanied by English narration.
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Figaro, il barbiere di Siviglia (1955)
Character: Figaro
Cinematic version of Rossini's opera in which Count Almaviva wins the heart of beautiful Rosina with the help of Figaro, the barber of Seville.
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Musica proibita (1942)
Character: Paolo Marini, detto Paolo Folchi
Paola (Tito Gobbi) is a successful, but lonely and aging opera singer in post-war Italy. His thoughts flash back to Florence in the days when he was a struggling student, and of his romance with the beautiful Claritta (Maria Mereader). Their eventual separation through a misunderstanding has resulted in a life of loneliness for both.
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Pagliacci (1948)
Character: Tonio/Silvio
Based on Ruggero Leoncavallo's opera Pagliacci. The film recounts the tragedy of Canio, the lead clown (or pagliaccio in Italian) in a commedia dell'arte troupe, his wife Nedda, and her lover, Silvio. When Nedda spurns the advances of Tonio, another player in the troupe, he tells Canio about Nedda's betrayal. In a jealous rage Canio murders both Nedda and Silvio. The only actor in the cast who also sang his role was the celebrated Italian baritone, Tito Gobbi, but the film is largely very faithful to its source material, presenting the opera nearly complete.
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Soho Conspiracy (1950)
Character: Tito Gobbi
The plans of a publicity agent to put on a charity concert are nearly wrecked by a lawyer who wants to take over a restaurant, but the situation is saved by local co-operation.
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Il barbiere di Siviglia (1947)
Character: Figaro
A crafty barber acts as a go-between for a count in disguise and rescues Rosina from marriage with her guardian. An operatic comedy.
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Les beaux jours du roi Murat (1947)
Character: Prince Castelli
For the past few weeks, revolt has been brewing in the Kingdom of Naples. The handsome Castelli is at the head of the conspiracy that wants to put an end to the reign of King Murat. To carry out his plan, he decides to infiltrate the court in order to become an intimate of the king. But his ploy works too well: he manages to enter the court thanks to his talents as a singer and very quickly seduces Queen Geneviève. But this imprudence costs him a lot. He is soon arrested by the king's men and immediately condemned to death.
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Condottieri (1937)
Character: Troubadour Nino
Returned from exile where he accompanied his mother Caterina Sforza, Giovanni de 'Medici (1498-1526), becomes, under the name of Giovanni delle Bande Nere, captain of fortune at the service of the idea of a united Italy.
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Casa Ricordi (1954)
Character: Cantante
The film covers a hundred years in the lives of the Ricordi family, the Milan publishing house of the title, and the various composers and other historic personalities, whose careers intersected with the growth of the Ricordi house. It beautifully draws the parallel between the great music of the composers, the historic and social upheavals of their times, as well as the "smaller stories" of the successive generations of Ricordi.
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Maria Callas: Toujours (Paris 1958) (1958)
Character: Scarpia / Figaro (Baritone)
The career of Maria Callas was just a bit too early and too brief to receive full and satisfying video documentation like that now being accorded to such singers as Renée Fleming and Luciano Pavarotti. This black-and-white televised recital (Callas's Paris debut) took place at the Paris Opera on December 19, 1958 when television was still in its infancy. We might wish that it had happened earlier, when her voice was in better condition, or later, when video recording technology was more advanced--so that, for example, we would not have to take the narrator's word that Callas is wearing a red dress. But this is probably the best available Callas video recording, and her fans will welcome it warmly. Visual elements were as important as the vocal dimensions in her art.
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Rigoletto (1946)
Character: Rigoletto
This tragic story revolves around the licentious Duke of Mantua, his hunch-backed court jester Rigoletto, and Rigoletto's beautiful daughter Gilda. The opera's original title, La maledizione (The Curse), refers to the curse placed on both the Duke and Rigoletto by a courtier whose daughter had been seduced by the Duke with Rigoletto's encouragement. The curse comes to fruition when Gilda likewise falls in love with the Duke and eventually sacrifices her life to save him from the assassins hired by her father.
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La forza del destino (1950)
Character: Don Carlos
Film version of the Verdi opera about lovers on the run after the accidental death of the girl's father.
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Follie per l'opera (1948)
Character: Self
This story took place during World War II. A group of Italians living in London are raising funds to rebuild a Catholic cathedral that was bombed by the Nazis. To this end, they organized a concert, the proceeds of which would go toward the construction. The project was led by journalist Carlo Scala. He faced and overcame many difficulties in organizing the event, but he handled them with honor, and the performance by leading Italian singers took place. He was assisted in this by the incomparable Dora Scala.
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Maria Callas: At Covent Garden, 1962 and 1964 (1962)
Character: Giacomo Puccini « Tosca, Atto II » extracts (9th February 1964)
Maria Callas’ legendary live performances from the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, from 1962 and 1964 celebrate her triumphant return to the Covent Garden stage. Repertoire from these performances include Verdi: Tu che le vanità (Don Carlo), Bizet: Habanera & Séguedille (Carmen) and Puccini: Tosca (Act II complete). Her vivid portrayals of the tragic Elisabeth de Valois, the tantalising Carmen, and her vulnerable Tosca (directed by Franco Zeffirelli) captured the hearts of the London audiences. This is Maria Callas as the world remembers her. Renato Cioni, Tito Gobbi, Robert Bowman, Dennis Wicks Orchestra & Chorus of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden- Conducted by Georges Prêtre & Carlo Felice Cillario.
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Giuseppe Verdi (1953)
Character: Singer - baritone
The life and loves of great composer Giuseppe Verdi are played against a background of the great operas of the 19th Century. A tender love story of his successful and turbulent life, with more than 20 excerpts from his acclaimed operas.
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L'elisir d'amore (1947)
Character: Belcore
Nemorino is hopelessly in love with Adina but she is attracted to a dashing captain.
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La signora dalle camelie (1947)
Character: Georg Germont (singing voice)
A courtesan sacrifices her relationship with a youthful admirer after the man's father pleads with her.
Adapted from Giuseppe Verdi's 1853 opera in the three acts "La Traviata".
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Callas Assoluta (2007)
Character: Self (archive footage)
This revealing documentary from director Philippe Kohly examines the storied life of renowned soprano Maria Callas, from her troubled childhood in New York City to her scandal-laden but triumphant international career in opera. Featuring archival interviews with Callas herself and footage of contemporaries such as her lover Aristotle Onassis, this celebration of "La Divina" pays tribute to her enduring legacy some three decades after her death.
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Maria Callas Sings Tosca, Act II (1964)
Character: Baron Scarpia
At the beginning of 1964, the music world experiences something completely unexpected. Maria Callas returns to the opera stage as the prima donna. Her “Tosca” at the Royal Opera House becomes a sensation. Maria Callas wants to show everyone once again that she deserves the title of “prima donna assoluta.” On the condition that star director Franco Zeffirelli take over the direction, the exceptional singer agrees to sing the role of Tosca. The BBC recorded the 2nd act of the opera for television. It is one of the most dramatic acts in opera history: in order to free the painter Cavaradossi from the hands of torturers, Tosca ends up murdering the police chief Scarpia. The film footage is one of the rare opportunities to see Maria Callas in an opera performance and to experience her highly emotional performance art and vocal abilities...
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Otello (1966)
Character: Jago
Giuseppe Verdi Pier Miranda Ferraro Tito Gobbi Laura Londi
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The Glass Mountain (1949)
Character: Tito Gobbi
An aspiring composer, in the British Air Force for WWII, is downed in Italy and rescued by an Italian girl. He returns home to his wife, inspired to write an opera and aware that he's fallen in love with his rescuer.
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Eldfågeln (1952)
Character: Mario Vanni
Italian singer Mario Vanni visits the Royal Opera in Stockholm and fall in love with ballet dancer Linda Corina.
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