Orchestra Rehearsal (1978)

An orchestra assmbles for a rehearsal in an ancient chapel under the inquisive eyes of a TV documentary crew, but an uprising breaks out.

Director:

Federico Fellini

Writers:

Federico Fellini (story), Federico Fellini

Stars:

Balduin Baas, Clara Colosimo, Elizabeth Labi

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Balduin Baas	...	Conductor
Clara Colosimo	...	Harp player
Elizabeth Labi	...	Piano player
Ronaldo Bonacchi	...	Bassoon player
Ferdinando Villella	...	Cello player
Franco Javarone	...	Bass tuba player (as Giovanni Javarone)
David Maunsell	...	First violin
Francesco Aluigi	...	Second violin
Andy Miller	...	Oboe player
Sibyl Mostert	...	Flute player
Franco Mazzieri	...	Trumpet player
Daniele Pagani	...	Trombone player
Luigi Uzzo	...	Violin player
Cesare Martignon	...	Clarinet player
Umberto Zuanelli	...	Copyist

Storyline

In a Medieval Roman chapel, now an oratorio, an elderly factotum sets up for rehearsal. The musicians arrive, joking and teasing. A union shop steward explains that a TV crew is there, talking to them is optional, and there will be no extra compensation. Musicians talk about their instruments. The German conductor arrives and puts them through their paces. He yells, he insults. The shop steward calls a 20 minute break. The conductor retreats to his dressing room and talks about how the world of music has changed, moving away from respect for the conductor. He returns to the rehearsal to find the orchestra in full revolt. What can bring them back to the music?

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Plot Keywords:

parable | anarchy | italy | conductor | orchestra | 

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Taglines:

The Decline of the West in C# Major

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Music

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

Italy West Germany

Language:

Italian German

Release Date:

22 February 1979 (Italy)

Also Known As:

Federico Fellini's Orchestra Rehearsal

Filming Locations:

Cinecittà Studios, Cinecittà, Rome, Lazio, Italy

Company Credits

Production Co:

Daimo Cinematografica, RAI Radiotelevisione Italiana, Albatros Filmproduktion

Technical Specs

Runtime:

70 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

When they are interviewing the first violinists, you can see that the harpist in the background is not playing but you can hear harp music playing.

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Connections

Spoofed in Il pap'occhio (1980)

User Reviews

Disappointing, but worth a look

Fellini's "Prova d'orchestra" was originally made for television, and there it should have stayed. As a cinematic event, it does not deliver. Yes, it's well directed and nicely acted, it has an interesting idea in it, but it's not enough for me to enjoy it. Eventually it looks like an exercise by some cinema student and not like a piece by Fellini, one of a few cinema genius of our time. I was disappointed, even though I enjoyed parts of it. My Grade: *** (out of *****)