Film Footage of Giacomo Puccini (1858-1924)
I was initially really interested to see home-movie footage of opera composer Giacomo Puccini - and then to hear him speak, in the USA. On two separate videos.
But the experience was rather different than I expected - the man seemed curiously de-mystified by movement and sound! Ordinary, as most us are.
What's your reaction?
Anyone who can compose such passionate music remains special to me regardless of how he might sound or look in old movies.
ReplyDeleteYour right.
ReplyDeleteWit
yeah wit
ReplyDeletei wanted more - well, you can't have things the way you want!
hey victor
ReplyDeleteyeah, for me he remains and always has been special ... as a composer but ordinary (which is fine) as a man
einstein as a thinker is stupendous but was cranky and ordinary as a man
most of us are just ordinary - which is fine
take care
nick
I suppose my reaction was that he seemed to be self-conscious....of his status, confidently superior? But it is true that one should look at the art and not the man - the art transcends the mediocrity of human existence. Didn't you wonder where he is going with the boatman though?
ReplyDeletehey trevor2u
ReplyDeletethough interconnected ,i think you can judge each separately - the art and the man
when dame joan sutherland made racist remarks here, i think it was right to be critical - so blacks here didn't feel it was condoned because of her fame - but as a singer she is still one of the greatest bel canto singers of the C20
yeah ! i did wonder where they were off to! i often wonder about what came before and after in these old films
take care
nick
i really liked the footage you have found. always liked his music. great so see the man behind it.
ReplyDeletebtw. the womans voice is puccinis wife, thanking the american people for welcoming her husband and her.
i would not mind seeing more of that boatsman either!
hey anon
ReplyDeletethanks for identifying her! really appreeciated
i'm going back to watch and listen it again !
there's a queue for the boatman!