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From: leeper@mtgzz.UUCP (m.r.leeper)
Newsgroups: net.movies,net.music.classical
Subject: Re: movie adaptations of Mozart operas
Message-ID: <1611@mtgzz.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 27-Jan-86 15:11:16 EST
Article-I.D.: mtgzz.1611
Posted: Mon Jan 27 15:11:16 1986
Date-Received: Wed, 29-Jan-86 20:00:51 EST
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Yes, MAGIC FLUTE has been done as a film.  In fact, it is one of the
best known films of operas since it was done by no less a director
than Ingmar Bergman.  It was made for TV in Sweden in 1974, then
released as a feature film in this country.  I saw it in 1977 and
walked out on it.  (It was through no fault of the film, I had gotten a
job offer to come to AT&T just an hour or so before going to see it
and had too much on my mind to concentrate on the film.  Wouldn't you
know it, I never got another chance to see it, and my wife, who I
dragged out of the film, has never completely forgiven me.)

Other Mozart operas have been filmed, I am pretty sure, but they
always drop from sight shortly after release.  MAGIC FLUTE was an
exception.  I know of a major film production of Puccini's LA BOHEME
made in the 60's that isn't listed in film sources like Maltin and
Scheuer.  I think these are considered to be just a special category of
films for a narrow audience.  They are not covered by film books and
video-stores rarely carry them.  That may change a little as video
sound reproduction improves.  I haven't looked that hard for Mozart on
cassette, but I would have noticed Puccini on cassette.  Puccini wrote
some of the most beautiful music I have ever heard and I would notice
if it was available in video form.  You might want to keep an eye on
your local PBS station and, if you get it, the Arts and Entertainment
network.  Both run opera fairly commonly and PBS usually gets a local
station to simul-cast.

				Mark Leeper
				...ihnp4!mtgzz!leeper