Word: songs
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Dates: during 1950-1959
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...find comfort. His Magic Flute, based on a Masonic theme, was a success, but he was by then too sick (a "general breakdown") to enjoy it very much. He was writing his last, heartrending begging-letters and struggling to finish the Requiem that was to be "my death-song." "I have nothing more to fear," he wrote to his old friend, da Ponte. "I have come to an end before having had the enjoyment of my talent. Life was indeed so beautiful, my career begun under such fortunate auspices; but one cannot change one's destiny...
...program was almost all Italian arias songs. The only composer of the German school represented was Mozart, and he by an Italian aria from The Marriage of Figaro. The most successful song was Bellini's Dolente Immagine, in which Tebaldi lingered over every vowel, almost caressing the notes with her voice. Another highlight was the magnificent Ave Maria from Verdi's Otello, which despite one shrill phrase was memorable for a ravishing final high note in mezza-voce. The audience went wild, and called Tebaldi back for three Puccini arias as encores. She didn't mind the tiring program...
With the lines in English a few of the usually "dramatic" Italian phrases sound a bit peculiar. For example, the young maid has finished a long sorrowful song about her mistreatment by the bawdy Don, and her gallant suitor warbles "Ohhh, a piteee." These are the exceptions however and this fine presentation, like Cosi, is highly enjoyable...
...majesty, Samdach Preah Upayuva-reach Norodom Sihanouk, it was a plain case of love at first sight, despite the fact that he was already bulwarked against loneliness by four concubines and ten children. He promptly invited Monique for a spin in his cream-colored Lancia and composed a song for her. Monique responded by quitting school, to the scandalized horror of the French set. As far as they were concerned, Monique had become just another concubine. They gasped twice again when Monique had two babies by the King, then forgot all about...
...music for the picture was patched together from themes by Alexander Borodin. Most of it has an annoyingly sugary flavor, even the best song, Stranger in Paradise. Nevertheless, the score remains one of the better parts of a discouraging production. But in the last analysis, there is only one reason why anyone looking for entertainment should go to see Kismet--it is easier to get to than any other movie in town...