Teatro Alla Scala Temple of Wonders

This was enthralling .Here is my rave for the Guide http://www.sydneyartsguide.com.au/teatro-alla-scala-temple-of-wonders/Can you hear them? Here dwell the spirits of the great artists of the past”. One of the leading theatrical impresarios of all time, Paolo Grassi, said this of the Teatro Alla Scala, and this is what makes La Scala unique – it is haunted by the invisible ghosts and voices of some of the greatest in opera history, including icons like Verdi, Puccini,Toscanini, Pavarotti and Callas. In this glorious film brought to us by Luca Lucini and Silvia Corbetta, the audience has unprecedented behind the scenes access to one of the most exclusive popular temples of the elite performing arts in the world and its fascinating history spanning over more than 200 years. There are dazzling shots of the huge interior of the lavish, golden auditorium. The film is organised chronologically, following through the history of the building since it first opened in 1778. The site was previously a church . We see the damage the building took as a result of the bombing during World War 2 and its subsequent reopening in 1946. It is also noted that the building was closed for major renovations from 2002-2004. Mention is also made of what were then regarded as scandalous productions during the 1950’s particularly La Traviata with Callas (cue a recording of her singing Sempre Libre). We follow scurrying present day backstage cleaners and various stage and technical managers at work. Also orchestra members, and we visit the huge scene painting and costume workshops. Interwoven with this is archive footage of the theatre’s long and fascinating history. There are incredible photos and film footage of Verdi’s funeral for example, and wonderful shots of many important opera productions. These are spliced with meanderings where actors have been employed to bring a selected few greats of classical music to the screen with first person accounts explaining a particular aspect of their history. Examples include Luigi Illica, Puccini’s librettist and Bartolomeo Merelli, the impressario. There are also interviews with current /ex performers including Domingo, Bolle and Ferri. Some of La Scala’s history has been dominated by the great composers, at other times it is the conductors including Toscanini , Daniel Barenboim, Riccardo Muti and Claudio Abbado) or the great divas including Callas and Tebaldi, and divos including Pavarotti, Domingo , and Carreras. So many of the opera greats have performed here! We see footage including Domingo’s dynamic entrance in Otello , a gigantic Cecil B.De Mille like triumphal march from a 1950’s version of Aida, – and cut to a 2012 sultry version with Roberto Bolle – snippets fromRossini’s The Barber of Seville and Wagner’s Tristan and Isolde and Puccini’s La Boheme. There is magnificent footage of a young Pavarotti from the 1960’s in Verdi’s Requiem that gives one goosebumps. And and and … The work of the chorus and the chorus master is also considered– there is a performance of Va Pensiero ( the ‘’ Chorus of Hebrew slaves ‘’from Verdi’s Nabucco) that is gripping and chilling . The ballet side of La Scala is also briefly mentioned – we see the school and there are mentions of Nureyev . Opera lovers in particular will wallow in this film with delight and bravos ( Balletomanes like this author will be going, more please! ). This was an inspiring film. Running time allow 2 hours (approx) no interval. LA SCALE TEMPLE OF WONDERS is screening at selected arthouse cinemas from 27th February.