Verdi, King of Melody

Pierre Cressoy, Gaby Andr?, Anna-Maria Ferrero, Tito Gobbi.

Italian Biography Historic & War 80 mins Color 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