FULL La Scala e i suoi protagonisti Documentary RAI Italy 1977 Maria Callas
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Information on the Performance
- Work Title: La Scala e i suoi protagonisti  
- Composer: N/A  
- Libretto: N)A  
- Venue & Opera Company: Teatro alla Scala di Milano, Italy  
- Recorded: 1977
- Type: Other
- Singers: Maria Callas
- Conductor: various  
- Orchestra: Orchestra del Teatro alla Scala  
Information about the Recording
- Published by: RAI  
- Date Published: 1977  
- Format: Broadcast
- Quality Video: 3 Audio:3
- Subtitles: nosubs  
- Video Recording from: ok     FULL VIDEO
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THIS PERFORMANCE
Thanks to the work of the Teche Rai, RaiPlay continues to update a unique catalog of the history of Italian television. In the on demand section of the same name (Teche Rai) which offers many programs from the past, from TV novels to famous variety shows, from Wednesday 8 April a rare and precious documentary from Teche Rai will be available on the history of the Teatro alla Scala, temple of world opera and among the most prestigious symbols of Milan, told by director Dora Ossenska. It is she who gives voice to some of the most important names on the musical and opera scene of the 20th century: Maria Callas, Claudio Abbado, Herbert von Karajan, Luchino Visconti. The series aired in six episodes in March 1977.
The first episode retraces the history of the theater from its construction under Maria Teresa of Austria, passing through the season of nineteenth-century melodrama, up to the reopening after the post-war bombings, to arrive at the projection into the future hoped for by the superintendent Paolo Grassi.
Maria Callas is the protagonist of the second episode: “For me La Scala meant being able to give the best of myself” says the unforgettable soprano about that stage of which she was one of the great protagonists. An entire atmosphere gave the shows a different light, a syncretism between singers, orchestra and theater itself. The singer remembers the very long hours of work in the theater and the magic of transmitting her passion to the public. Then there is an interview with a group of singing students from the Giuseppe Verdi Conservatory in Milan on their relationship with the artistic figure of Maria Callas.
Luchino Visconti and team work are at the center of the third appointment: how a show is born. Visconti recalls episodes and anecdotes linked to the La Scala theatre, in particular the skill of Callas. Claudio Abbado also remembers the great team work carried out in the theater in synergy between director, set designer and conductor to create an opera show.
The fourth episode is dedicated to the artistic direction: Toscanini, von Karajan, Abbado. “When Toscanini was there, his rehearsals were like lessons: everyone did more than what was asked of them” recalls the opera singer Toti Dal Monte. Herbert von Karajan and Claudio Abbado are also interviewed about the meaning of their La Scala experience, which the Austrian director defines as “one of the most harmonious things in my life”.
The ballet and the prestigious classical dance school of the La Scala Theatre, directed by Anna Maria Prina, are the protagonists of the fifth episode. The dancer Liliana Cosi and the choreographer Aurel Milloss are interviewed about their artistic training and the prestige of the Scala school. Carla Fracci’s interpretation of Prokofiev’s Cinderella and the scene from “The Dying Swan” interpreted by Cosi are also proposed.
It ends with the problems of a great theater. Superintendent Paolo Grassi talks about the artistic policy of the La Scala Theatre, which aims to establish a cultural relationship with the public to which it aims to offer suitable musical education. Other protagonists such as Claudio Abbado, Goffredo Petrassi, Luciano Berio describe the offer and musical proposals of the theatre, also open to the works of young talents: “A great theater is also made up of new contributions”.