Maria Callas: Maria Callas (TDK DVD)

MARIA CALLAS -
LIVING AND DYING FOR ART AND LOVE

A musical documentary featuring
Grace Bumbry, Judi Dench, Plácido Domingo, Tito Gobbi, Antonio Pappano, David Webster, Franco Zeffirelli


Stage Production: Peter Hall


DVD 5

Picture Format: 16:9 anamorphic
Sound Format: Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS 5.1, PCM Stereo
Running Time: 71 mins + 14 mins bonus track
Region Code: 0 WW
Booklet Languages: GB, F, D
Subtitles: GB, F, D, SP, IT
Recording Date: Various

Cat. No.: DV-DOCMC


No other female singer has been so adored and admired as Maria Callas. No soprano was bathed in such a golden aura as she was. Callas is what they call a "phenomenon" and no other singer has prompted so much to be written about her, her life and her art.

TDK now offers this documentary DVD, featuring excerpts of the Tosca that was to be her final triumph - Director Franco Zeffirelli devised the staging especially for Maria Callas' return to the stage in 1964 after a three year break. This documentary explores the causes for the artist's decision to finally say goodbye to opera for good. Friends and colleagues - all eminent personalities of the arts world like Placido Domingo and Grace Bumbry - speak about the soprano and their memories of her.

The film also sets her unsurpassed and legendary Tosca interpretation against her dramatic personal life. According to Zefirelli, the singer saw her former lover, Aristoteles Onassis, in the role of Tosca's tormentor Scarpia when she performed it in 1965. The film explores the singer's relationship with the Greek billionaire - who was to marry Jackie Kennedy after ending his engagement to Maria Callas - and the tragic implications this had on the Diva's life and career.

Chapters:
Tosca: Act I; Encounter with Onassis;
Tosca: Act II; Truth in Music; Norma;
Tosca: Act III; The Final Years

Bonus: Excerpts from "Tosca" with Maria Callas and Tito Gobbi; "Tre sbirri... Una carrozza..." (Act I); "Vissi d'arte, vissi d'amore" (Act II); "E qual via scegliete?" (Act II)