Description
Callas: A Documentary Plus Bonus (DVD)
UPC: 789984019467
Product Features
- Title: Callas: A Documentary Plus Bonus
- Director/Writer: John Ardoin
- Narrator: Franco Zeffirelli
- Bonus Features: Additional interviews and unseen footage with insights from John Ardoin, Tito Gobbi, Gian Carlo Menotti, Nicola Rescigno, and Renata Scotto
- Running Time:Language: English
- Documentary: 88 minutes
- Bonus footage: 29 minutes
- Audio Format: PCM Mono
- Picture Format: NTSC, Color & Black & White, Full Screen
- Region Code: 0 (All regions)
- DVD Format: DVD-9
- Cover Photo: Christian Steiner
Overview
This Bel Canto Society release presents a compelling documentary about the legendary soprano Maria Callas, offering a rich exploration of both her life as an artist and the personal struggles she faced. Directed by John Ardoin, with narration by Franco Zeffirelli, the film sheds light on the complexity of Callas as both an artist of monumental achievement and a woman dealing with deep personal turmoil.
The documentary succeeds in portraying the "strange mixture of glorious public achievement and deep personal unfulfillment" that characterized Callas's life, as noted by John Steane of Gramophone. This film not only celebrates her unparalleled contributions to opera but also delves into her personal life, with highlights from her iconic performances, such as her Vissi d’arte from Tosca and Ah, non credea mirarti from La Sonnambula. The documentary also includes candid moments, such as her infamous Rome Walkout and newsreel footage of her relationships with Onassis, Winston Churchill, and others.
The bonus content provides further insights into Callas' life and career, featuring interviews with figures like Rudolf Bing, Renata Tebaldi, and Gian Carlo Menotti, and touching on topics like her rivalry with Tebaldi, her relationship with Aristotle Onassis, and her struggles with health and fame.
Interesting Facts
- The documentary includes a touching segment where Callas sings Ah, non credea mirarti from La Sonnambula, showcasing the fragility of her voice in later years, while her face remains "infinitely touching," as noted by John Steane.
- John Ardoin, a renowned music critic and close observer of Callas’s career, plays a crucial role in shaping the narrative of the documentary, providing deep insights into her artistry and personality.
- The bonus content offers rare interviews with Rudolf Bing, who speaks candidly about the challenges of working with Callas, and Tito Gobbi, who reflects on their collaborations.
- The film covers key events in Callas's life, including her Rome Walkout, her relationships with Onassis and Churchill, and her history at La Scala.
Track Listing
- Documentary:
- Exploring the duality of Maria Callas as both an artist and a woman dealing with personal struggles.
- Archival performance footage, including Tosca and La Sonnambula.
- Candid interviews and commentary from key figures in her life.
- Bonus Features:
- Never-before-seen footage and interviews with John Ardoin, Tito Gobbi, Gian Carlo Menotti, Nicola Rescigno, and Renata Scotto.
- Newsreel footage of Callas's funeral, her relationships, and her career milestones.
Reviews
- John Steane (Gramophone): "It’s a film not to be missed. It moves its audience with the strange mixture of glorious public achievement and deep personal unfulfillment."
- Albert Innaurato (The Metropolitan Opera Guide to Opera on Video): "The film footage of Callas 'in action' tests the claims of her greatness, confirming that most of the acting is done with her voice."
Publishers
- Bel Canto Society, Inc.
Hashtags: #MariaCallas #CallasDocumentary #BelCantoSociety #FrancoZeffirelli #OperaLegend #TitoGobbi #JohnArdoin #OperaDocumentary #ClassicOpera #MariaCallasDVD
