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A Tribute to Franco Zeffirelli, Part 2: The Opera Movies

Instructor
Paul Offenkrantz
S542A
Video Catch-up
Available

Course Description

Franco Zeffirelli not only excelled at the live production of operas, he was also equally adept at the art of motion picture direction. This love of opera and motion pictures resulted in two of opera's most stunning motion picture adaptations in cinematic history. Verdi supplied the inspiration when Zeffirelli turned to movie adaptations, first with the classic "La Traviata" and a few years later with "Otello." "Otello" is considered the finest adaptation of a Shakespearean work into opera, and under Zeffirelli's direction, it became an incredible motion picture. The films will be shown in their entirety with commentary by Verdi Specialist Giuseppe Albanese.

Lectures

  1. "La Traviata": The 1982 film features Placido Domingo and Teresa Stratas.
  2. "La Traviata":  Part Two
  3. "Otello":  The 1986 film features Palcido Domingo and Justino Diaz.
  4. "Otello": Part Two

Course Info

  • Time: 12:30 PM - 2:00 PM
  • Date: Fridays, March 11, 18, 25; April 1
  • Location: Friedberg Auditorium, Lifelong Learning Building
  • Fees: Member - $60
    Non-member - $80
    One-time guest pass, Member or Non-member at the door - $25.

About the Instructor

  • Paul Offenkrantz, D.M. a graduate of Oberlin College, attended the Yale School of Music and earned a Master of Sacred Music from Hebrew Union College, where he was also ordained as a cantor. In his distinguished career, he has served communities in New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, and West Palm Beach. He was awarded an honorary Doctor of Music degree from Hebrew Union College and received rabbinic ordination from The Jewish Spiritual Leaders Institute. He began singing professionally on the stage of the Metropolitan Opera at the age of nine and appeared in over 30 different operas at the MET over the course of five seasons. He has worked with Leonard Bernstein, Richard Tucker, Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo, Jerome Robbins, George Balanchine, and many other important artists. He concertizes and lectures extensively throughout South Florida and is also an adjunct professor of Music History at the Conservatory of Music at Lynn University.

    Recipient of the 2000 Excellence in Teaching Award