I am a great fan of the composer Rossini so when I found this film on YouTube I just had to watch it even though there were no subtitles.
I would recommend that any fan of Rossini makes a point of watching this. The film mainly covers his early life and works but eventually he makes it to Vienna where amongs other things he visits Beethoven. That scene, taking place in darkened rooms, with torrential rain falling outside, and with low candle level lighting, was one of the high spots for me due to its high atmospheric direction and distinct change of pace and style to the rest of th film. It is directed and shot in an 'antique' style which reminded me very strongly of Abel Gance's Napoleon. It seemed heavily influenced by silent film methodology.
The main body of the film covers the period from 'Barber' in Rome through to 'Otello' to 'Mose in Egitto' in Naples. The king of Naples is played by a rather excellent actor who gives a really convincing performance laced with humour and mood.
The actor playing Rossini himself is expremely convincing and during the course of the film adopted many dress styles and poses shown in the portraits of him during that period that survive; including the one with the jaunty tassleded cap worn sideways on his head.
I only wish I could find access to a copy bearing English sub-titles.
I would recommend that any fan of Rossini makes a point of watching this. The film mainly covers his early life and works but eventually he makes it to Vienna where amongs other things he visits Beethoven. That scene, taking place in darkened rooms, with torrential rain falling outside, and with low candle level lighting, was one of the high spots for me due to its high atmospheric direction and distinct change of pace and style to the rest of th film. It is directed and shot in an 'antique' style which reminded me very strongly of Abel Gance's Napoleon. It seemed heavily influenced by silent film methodology.
The main body of the film covers the period from 'Barber' in Rome through to 'Otello' to 'Mose in Egitto' in Naples. The king of Naples is played by a rather excellent actor who gives a really convincing performance laced with humour and mood.
The actor playing Rossini himself is expremely convincing and during the course of the film adopted many dress styles and poses shown in the portraits of him during that period that survive; including the one with the jaunty tassleded cap worn sideways on his head.
I only wish I could find access to a copy bearing English sub-titles.