TURANDOT Corelli, Udovich, Mattioli (1958) (DVD)

The legendary Franco Corelli, world-renowned for his portrayal of Calaf, here stars in a magical RAI television production of what many consider to be Puccini’s crowning achievement. Under the creative direction of Mario Lanfranchi, this Turandot resonates with elements of Kabuki. Corelli, at the peak of his vocal powers, finds his match in the fiery Turandot of Lucille Udovich. Among her many credits, Udovich sang opposite Corelli in the noted 1954 revival of Spontini’s Agnes di Hohenstaufen at the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino; she also sang the role of of Elettra in the 1956 EMI studio recording of Mozart’s Idomeneo, under the direction of Sir John Pritchard.
With optional English, French, and German subtitles.
B&W, 115 minutes, 4:3, All regions

TURANDOT
Opera in Three Acts
Music by Giacomo Puccini
Libretto by Giuseppe Adami and Renato Simoni

Cast:
La Principessa Turandot - Lucille Udovich
Calaf - Franco Corelli
L’ Imperatore Altoum / The Emperor - Nino del Sole
Timur - Plinio Clabassi
Liù - Renata Mattioli
Ping - Mario Borriello
Pang - Mario Carlin
Pong - Renato Ercolani
Un mandarino - Teodoro Rovetta

Orchestra and Chorus of Radiotelevisione Italiana Milano
Fernando Previtali, conductor

Directed by Mario Lanfranchi
Originally Telecast December 23, 1958