Verdi, King of Melody 1953
The life and work of the great Italian operatic composer Giuseppi Verdi (1813-1901) is depicted in this 1953 film, made in Italy. Pierre Cressy portrays the composer with intensity and feeling, while Gaby Andre his second wife with tenderness and pathos. A host of fine singers adorn operatic excerpts, including Tenor Mario del Monaco in a startling death scene from “Otello” and Tito Gobbi in a dramatic moment from “Rigoletto.” Throughout the film there are elaborately staged scenes from “Nabucco,” “Il Trovatore,” “La Forza del Destino,” “Aida,” and “Falstaff.” A rare look at the domestic and love life of this composer is afforded, within the usual dramatic license given such biopics. On his death-bed, the Italian composer thinks back on his life; from his childhood to his final opera. Contains pieces from many classic operas: “Otello”, “Rigoletto”, “Nabucco”, “Il Trovatore”, “Aida” and more. English dubbed. Dir. Raffaello Matarazz
