Product Details

• Format: Black & White, Classical, Color, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Video Artists Int'l
• VHS Release Date: September 26, 2000
• Run Time: 42 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• ASIN: B00004YS5Q
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #492,393 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Anna Moffo's blend of voice, looks, and charisma took her to the heights of operatic acclaim--and beyond. A natural for the camera, Miss Moffo made a number of successful operatic films (including La Traviata and Lucia, both available from VAI) and frequent television appearances. Her Bell Telephone performances feature excerpts from her most celebrated roles, partnered by a distinguished group of leading men.

Telecast of February 16, 1962
Don Giovanni (Mozart)
La ci darem la mano
with George London

Telecast of April 27, 1962
La Traviata (Verdi)
Brindisi: Libiamo, libiamo
Che e cio?--Non gradireste ora le danze?
Un di felice
with Nicolai Gedda and chorus

Telecast of February 16, 1962
La Traviata (Verdi)
E strano! E strano! ... ah, fors'e lui... Sempre libera!

Telecast of October 8, 1963
La Bohème (Puccini)
Che gelida manina
Si, mi chiamano Mimi
O soave fanciulla
with Richard Tucker

Telecast of September 22, 1967
Roméo et Juliette (Gounod)
Helas! Moi, le hair!
with Sandor Konya

Bell Telephone Hour Orchestra and Chorus conducted by Donald Vorhees
All telecasts in color, except the scene from La Bohème.
42 minutes.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nice introduction to the art of Anna Moffo, November 4, 2007

By 

Steven A. Peterson (Hershey, PA (Born in Kewanee, IL)) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Anna Moffo - Telecasts from the Bell Telephone Hour, 1962-1967 [VHS] (VHS Tape)

For those who recall Anna Moffo's singing, this is a nice reminder of her talent. For those who have not heard her sing, this is a good introduction to her.

The cuts here are from the old "Bell Telephone Hour." They show some of her standard works, and illustrate the virtues of her singing.

For example, her duet with George London, "La ci darem la mano," from Mozart's "Don Giovanni." London is in good form, reminding us of his considerable talent, and Moffo sings well, too. Her soprano voice was rich and lovely to listen to. In roles such as this as well as her specialties in Puccini and Verdi, she was top notch. The interaction between her and London works well dramatically.

There are a series of pieces from one of her specialties, Violetta, from Verdi's "La Traviata." With Nicolai Gedda, she sings the drinking song, "Libiamo, libiamo" and the glorious "Un di felice." Gedda's tenor voice is elegant; Moffo's voice intertwines well with his. From another production, there is the wonderful scene, "Ah, fors e lui. . . Sempre libera." Her singing is right on. She and Renata Scotto were wonderful interpreters of Violetta during this time period. This segment on the VHS richly exemplified why she was so well-reputed.

Then, "La Boheme," another of her major roles. With the stentorian voice of Richard Tucker, we hear the wondrous trio of pieces from Act I--"Che gelida manina," "Si, mi chiamano Mimi," and the rapturous duet "O soave fanciulla." She and Tucker are somewhat of an odd couple on stage, but their voices do considerable justice to these three pieces. The duet is especially pleasing.

Thus, this is a cool compilation of performances from "The Bell Telephone Hour" that provides a good sense of Anna Moffo's talent.