Jan Schmidt-Garre's 1999 documentary follows Stefan Zucker—a tenor and self-described “opera fanatic”—as he travels around Italy interviewing a number of long-retired divas who graced the world's opera stages a half-century ago. Unless you were attending European opera performances in the 1950s or are a rabid opera history aficionado, chances are you've never heard of the women featured here (including Fedora Barbieri, Leyla Gencer, Magda Olivero, and Giulietta Simonato). The interview subjects, mercifully, don't act like divas for the camera (everyone is somewhat bemused to be sought out after being away from the spotlight for years), and are clearly very patient with the disheveled Zucker, whose erratic interviewing pinballs between elementary questions on breathing techniques to inane inquiries on whether mezzos have stronger sexual stamina than sopranos. Schmidt-Garre serves up some very rare television clips of the divas in their distant heydays, offering stunning evidence of why these women mean so much to Zucker. Still, while one cannot deny the greatness evident in the old footage, one has to question Zucker's repeated insistence that today's opera stars cannot hold a candle to these icons of yesteryear. Presented in PCM stereo, this will appeal to serious opera lovers and is therefore recommended for larger collections, but is optional elsewhere. Aud: C, P. (P. Hall)
Opera Fanatic
(1999) 93 min. DVD: $28.98. Arthaus Musik (dist. by Naxos of America). ISBN: 978-3-939873-55-6. Volume 23, Issue 6
Opera Fanatic
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