Sumptuously costumed and splendidly staged, this elaborate cinematic biography blends documentary and drama to tell the story of a great artistic genius who became the musical voice of a nation. Ronald Pickup plays the title role, with Carla Fracci as Giuseppina Strepponi, Verdi's wife and friend. Supporting them is a parade of colorful personalities who thronged Verdi's life. The biographical events are played out against the tumultuous background of Italy's struggle for unity and independence, a cause to which Verdi dedicated his art. Across the flow of action washes the bright glitter of Verdi's music, artfully woven into the fabric of the program, and sung by the leading voices of contemporary stage. The result is a beautiful production, visually elegant in its effects, sonically marvelous, and wholly satisfying. Firmly based on scholarly research, it emerges as an extravaganza of operatic dimensions, a celebration of a musical genius and his lyric legacy.
