Virginia Zeani "The Merry Widow" " La Vedova Allegra" live movie 1963

Virginia Zeani sings The Merry Widow in a performance of excerpts for the Italian Broadcasting organisation RAI in 1963. When sung in Italian, as here, the operetta is called "La Vedova Allegra".This rare movie footage gives a very good idea of the grace, elegance and stillness she brought to the first act of La Traviata.

She was unaware until recently that this footage still existed, but remembers well that they sang live for the cameras.

If you know of any more movies of Mme Zeani which have not yet appeared on YouTube, please contact me.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Virginia
• Zeani
• Merry
• Widow
• La
• Vedova
• Allegra
• Vilja
• Juan
• Oncina
• operetta
• italian
• opera
• Franz
• Lehar
• Theater
• an
• der
• Wien
• Schwarzkopf
• della
• Casa
• Jeanette
• Macdonald

[sospello]

This is such a rare and wonderful opportunity to see Mme Zeani singing live on camera. Thank you for your efforts to bring the footage from the RAI broadcast together for all of us to admire.

[basenjidiva]

Visually enchanting, vocally bewitching, la Zeani is the creme de la creme! The complete package, from the ability to spin gold with her vocal chords, to arrest a heartbeat with the flick of an eye-lash, and superlative interpretive powers... ah, Zeani is a delicious slice of heaven!

Chilled champagne, fresh caviar, and warm Zeani; cielo perfetto!

Thank you for these thrilling postings; we are greatly indebted for your generosity.

Bravissima, cara Zeani!!!

[TheWisemonkey8]

Goash that is wonderful Lady Y! Thanks for the post...

[angelamaria1944]

Credo che quando il Creatore la pensò fosse in un momento di particolare grazia! le ha dato tanti doni: bellezza, grazia, eleganza, una voce splendida, ma soprattutto una profonda e ricca umanità!

[cantorandopera]

Just found this. What a treasure! You have done her a great service by bringing her music to a wide audience. If Ms Zeani is reading this - or if you can send her a message - she is one the singers I admire most. Her gorgeous voice and stunning technique are matched by an elegance of interpretation and comitment to the composer's wishes, and to the libretto. Brava for everything. Rowna

[basenjidiva]

@panenrico

... and now, having just celebrated her eighty-fifth birthday, Mme. Zeani continues to enchant us with her mature beauty, of both face and spirit, which is just as arresting as it was when this was filmed. She remains perenially all things bright and beautiful!

[gestas60323]

Never seen this before. She is magnificent and glamorous. Thanks for posting this treasure.

[panenrico]

The young Virginia Zeani has been the most beautiful woman of the world. It's a pity video era got her marginally only over last part of her career. One can argue about the relation between physical beauty and singing. For sure there is no contradiction. A supernatural artist shaped this woman, which is art herself: that body, those eyes, that face. And when a so marvelous being sings, and sings well, you have the art in its highest manifestation. Everybody must thank you, Charlotte.

[Glenmed]

Supreme elegance and beauty - and a voice to match.

[qklq42]

Yes, my dear Charlotte: she is as beautiful as a moviestar. But she has also a voice of an angel......

[corellithebest]

Dear Candy, absolutely agree, as always! All your comments are so deeply insightful and subtle!

[liettennabenna]

E' meraviglioso rivedere queste cose. Zeani, sempre la più GRANDE.