Cornell MacNeil Movies
- 1989
This series includes six programs that feature the adventures of two kids who discover a puppet opera house. Features include highlights from some major operas, like Carmen and The Barber of Seville. ~ Rovi
Franco Zeffirelli both stage-directed and designed the sets for this 1985 Metropolitan Opera production of Puccini's romantic opera Tosca. The story revolves around the singer Floria Tosca (Hildegard Behrens), who is jealous of her lover, painter Mario Cavaradossi (Placido Domingo). The corrupt police chief Scarpia (Cornell MacNeil) is after the escaped political prisoner Cesare Angelotti (James Courtney), who is friends with Mario. The treacherous Scarpia arrests Mario, Angelotti kills himself, and Tosca gets homicidal. Several murders and betrayals later, the conclusion involves Mario and Tosca before a firing squad in the dramatic final act. Conducted by Guiseppe Sinopoli. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, Rovi
- 1984
Legendary tenor Placido Domingo delivers an exceptional performance in this video, which records a 1984 performance by New York's Metropolitan Opera of Riccardo Zandonai's lush romantic story. Renata Scotto also stars in this production, which was praised for its elaborate sets and costumes, as well as the superb performances (and vocals) of Domingo and Scotto and James Levine's outstanding musical direction. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Starring:
- Renata Scotto
Tenor Plácido Domingo and soprano Teresa Stratas star in director Franco Zeffirelli's lushly cinematic version of Verdi's opera La Traviata ("The Woman Gone Astray"), a story of doomed love in 1840s Paris. Violetta (Stratas), who is the mistress of a wealthy baron, hosts a lavish party to celebrate her improved health after a bout with tuberculosis. There she meets Alfredo (Domingo) and becomes smitten with him as he, she, and the guests join in the famous "Drinking Song." Violetta leaves the baron, and she and Alfredo move into a secluded country villa together, where they live happily for a while. But unknown to Alfredo, his father (baritone Cornell MacNeil) convinces Violetta that continuing her relationship with Alfredo will prevent Alfredo's sister from making a good marriage. With great sadness, Violetta decides that she must not only break permanently with Alfredo, she must keep him at a distance by returning to the baron. Misunderstanding her motives, Alfredo goes into a jealous rage that leads to tragic consequences. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi
- Starring:
- Teresa Stratas, Plácido Domingo, (more)
- 1978
This release captures a performance of Puccini's beloved opera Tosca, recorded at the Metropolitan Opera House in 1978 for the series Live at the Met. The production was famously staged by Tito Gobbi, and features legendary tenor Luciano Paavarotti in the leading role. ~ Cammila Albertson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Shirley Verrett, Luciano Pavarotti, (more)
- 1978
The Metropolitan Opera mounted this September 25, 1978 production of Giuseppe Verdi's opera Otello, which the composer (in turn) originally adapted from William Shakespeare's classic tragedy Othello. It stars Jon Vickers in the title role, Cornell MacNeil as Iago, Andrea Velis as Roderigo and Renatta Scotto as Desdemona. The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and Chorus lend musical support, under the baton of James Levine, with David Stivender serving as chorus master. Peter J. Hall designed the costumes, Franco Zeffirelli created the sets and mounted the production itself, and Fabrizio Melano directs for the stage. ~ Nathan Southern, Rovi
- Starring:
- Jon Vickers, Renata Scotto, (more)
