to get your mind off of all these disgusting stories about Stormy Daniels et al. Here is a scene

[CTyankee]

from one of the most beautiful love stories ever filmed...and some Puccini...

[longship]

1. My twin sister texted me from the Detroit Opera House last night.

She sent a pic from the first act of Tosca (Puccini, for those who don't know).

That's the perfect opera for opera newbies. You can tell it's ended when the last main character is dead.

Tosca's last words, before leaping off the parapet of Castel Sant Angelo into the Tiber: "Oh Scarpia! I will see you before God." Then she jumps. A few orchestral chords later and the curtain falls.

Powerful stuff, that Puccini.

[CTyankee]

2. Puccini's melodies are quite beautiful.

There a two arias by him featured in this movie: O Mio Babbio Caro and Chi'll Belle Sogno di Doretta.

Merchant-Ivory films were always cinematic gorgeousness. And, of course, being filmed in Florence which is a lovely city (and beloved to me) it makes for a helluva movie. One of my favorites.

[longship]

3. I'll stick it my NetFlix queue.

Thanks!

[longship]

7. Then, there's Turandot and La Boheme.

That guy never composed a dud.

The "I know your name" aria at the close of Turandot always leaves me in tears, absolutely shredded. Likewise, La Boheme. 😩

It's the music that carries it.

[CTyankee]

10. We used to have an opera series here in New Haven and that is where I saw both of those

operas. "Nessun Dorma" is so powerful. Boheme's "Your little hand is frozen" is very tender.

Puccini can send me into a trance...

[Honeycombe8]

13. I love Puccini.

I don't know much about opera. But on a couple of occasions I decided to look up the arias and operas I DID like, to see who composed them. I had more of Puccini than any other composer.

La Boheme
Madame Butterfly
Nessum Dorma

I forget the others. There were other composers that I liked, too, but the # of Puccini ones was a bit more.

[longship]

14. Nessum dorma is from Turandot.

A most remarkable opera. Puccini's last. Finished after his death.

Try Tosca some time. It's chilling! Lots of death and mayhem. And what music!!!

[Honeycombe8]

15. I will! Thanks.

[Honeycombe8]

4. Is that supposed to be romantic? nt

[CTyankee]

6. Yes. The movie is about how despite their families wanting them to marry other people, they

fell in love. It was about the rigid social norms of the day and how they were overcome by Lucy and George. If you can find the movie (i think you have to pay on youtube to see it but it is well worth it). In the last scene of the movie, Lucy and George are back in Florence, now on their honeymoon, looking out at the city from a window and kissing tenderly.

It is from a novella by E.M. Forster. I think if you see the whole movie you will just love it...

[Honeycombe8]

8. I liked Sense & Sensibility, and Pride & Prejudice. I did not like those scenes in that clip

and didn't find the kiss romantic at all. But I like all those actors and the costuming was great.

[CTyankee]

12. I know what you mean, he does grab her and kiss her but there is real attraction between the two

characters. We have a heightened sense now of sexual predation but in the context of their attraction to each other and their falling in love it is wonderful.

If this were to be made again I think the scene would be different, probably more tender and soft...

[catbyte]

17. Agreed, CTyankee. I absolutely love that film. Nothing unwanted about that kiss at all.

[Motley13]

5. I have one better

Fernando Colunga , my telenovio in Amor Real

[CTyankee]

9. Beautiful scene. Tender and gorgeous...

[Motley13]

11. there is another scene with them in a meadow that I couldn't find

he wants to get down to business & she is worried that someone will see. He says "the birds, the bees" really lovely & funny.

Amor Real is my favorite telenovela

[packman]

16. Oh, my love - Classics are great, but----

?t=2

[flying_wahini]

18. I've seen this at least 20 times. It's one of the top 5 films ever!

Daniel day Lewis is really great in it too. And Dame Maggie.... and.... and....


Thanks!

[Mendocino]

20. Judith Dench

Denholm Elliot, Simon Callow were part of the great cast.

[kn3wscr1pt]

19. This is such a beautiful scene.

The colors, the content. Just wow!