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Bechi, Caniglia, Gigli, Gobbi, Schipa; Nives Poli and the La Scala Ballet; Ornella Santoliquido and Franco Mannino; Lollobrigida; Costa, dir. Barbiere (2), Carmen, Chenier, Norma, Pagliacci, song, plus "Invitation to the Dance" (Weber) and "La campanella" (Paganini-Liszt). (1948) 95m. Italian, with non-optional English subtitles. B&W.

In this screwball comedy a group of Italians presents an opera concert in London, with Schipa, Gigli, Caniglia, Gobbi and Bechi. The singers play themselves, with Bechi and Gobbi getting the most singing and screen time. (Gigli`s contribution, Chenier`s "Si, fui soldato," is taken from the film Solo per te, BCS Video #502.) The arias are fully staged, vividly filmed with lots of closeups. With few exceptions the camera stays directly on the singers. The print is superb.

Nobody ever sang "Figaro, Figaro, Figaro" with more inflections than Bechi. But the highlight that really leaps out is the "Toreador Song," where he provides a walloping spinal chill. Bechi was the most exciting baritone of the post-war period. Gobbi was the most artistic--here he sings the "Prologo" and "Dicitencello vuie" silkily, with exquisite legato. Schipa imbues every word of "Se il mio nome" with meaning, so that it becomes spoken song. Gigli is a perfervid Chenier. The legendary Caniglia makes the only on-screen appearance of her career, singing "Casta diva." The 20-year-old, pre-Hollywood Lollobrigida looks innocent yet nubile.--Stefan Zucker