LA TRAVIATA!

"A triumph of Franco Zeffirelli, who wrote, designed and directed the dazzling new screen version....It's not to be missed." - New York Times

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"A surpassingly voluptuous affair, a spinning wheel of colors and textures..." - Variety

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We turn to Opera this week and the great Franco Zeffirelli ("Hamlet" with Mel Gibson, "Tea with Mussolini")--who by the way, took one hell of a financial risk in setting this Verdi Masterpiece to a movie. At the time, many called him crazy for doing so. I watched it four times in the theatre. I've also read and laughed off the skeptics and I've discovered long ago that if each of us listened to the naysayers, civilization would never advance much less allow us to get our grocery shopping done! Among the critics: "The lighting and the sets were too extravagant" How does one get too extravagant with Opera? Throw me another one! "Cornell MacNeil was in 'his twilight years". Ha! He was awesome and blew away the "experts". Interestingly, no one dared to touch the performances of Domingo and Stratas. So, why did I pick this film for this week? There were four reasons.

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First, I don't mind taking chances. Secondly, This is breaking new ground for "Friday Movie Suggestion Night". Third, I want to prove to everyone that Opera, as with Classical music set apart, is not simply reserved for "The Elite" of society. Music and Acting together belongs to Art and Art belongs to everyone! Fourth and lastly, even if you've never experienced an Opera, this is a great first choice because Zeffirelli "pulled out all the stops". Filmed in Italy, the music is dynamic and the acting is as passionate as you'll ever experience. Also, in keeping with the last two film's we've watched involving dance, "La Traviata" literally translated means "The Dance".

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The Plot: Verdi's classic finds Teresa Stratas heartbreaking as the dying courtesan Violetta, who turns her back on the love of Alfredo (Placido Domingo) in order to preserve his family reputation. Set in 1840's Paris, I can't begin to imagine the film's budget on the sets, lighting and the brilliant use of outdoor locations, all of which incorporates lots of interesting period detail. Conductor James Levine (who is from my hometown of Cincinnati) brings the music to life. The great Italian director Franco Zeffirelli brings the images together to form what many consider to be "the perfect opera film" of all time! Giuseppe Verdi's opera becomes a passionate, poetic film that is bold and daring in the hands of Zeffirelli. Celebrated tenor Placido Domingo stars with soprano Teresa Stratas (another crush of mine) as doomed lovers caught in the sticky web of 1840's Parisian society. Domingo voice is in fine form here as Alfredo, the young man who falls hard for terminally-ill courtesan Violetta. Stratas, as Violetta, is the real star of the film; close-ups prove she is a gifted actress and singer, and she radiates the perfect balance of joy and despair in her every scene. The story's beauty plays out against a wonderful mix of locations including a ballroom party, with a stunning ballet. James Levine conducts while Cornell MacNeil, Alan Monk, Axell Gall, Pina Cei, and members of the Bolshoi State Academic Theatre round out the cast. Again, this is considered by many to be the best of all opera films; it's a perfect combination of elaborate sets, stunning cinematography, brilliant music, and impassioned performances. If you are new to Opera and subtitles, wait! Give yourself and this film a chance! Just let it reach you!

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AS ALWAYS, ENJOY YOUR WEEKEND!