Posted on 06/18/2019 5:59:48 AM PDT by csvset
AP excerpt.
He rose to be one of Italys most prolific directors, working with such opera greats as Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo and Maria Callas, as well as Hollywood stars including Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, Mel Gibson, Cher and Judi Dench.
ROME Italian director Franco Zeffirelli, who delighted audiences around the world with his romantic vision and extravagant productions, most famously captured in his cinematic Romeo and Juliet and the miniseries Jesus of Nazareth, died Saturday at 96.
While Zeffirelli was most popularly known for his films, his name was also inextricably linked to the theater and opera. He produced classics for the worlds most famous opera houses, from Milans venerable La Scala to the Metropolitan Opera in New York, and plays for London and Italian stages.
Zeffirellis son Luciano said his father died at home in Rome.
He had suffered for a while, but he left in a peaceful way, he said.
(Excerpt) Read more at chicago.suntimes.com ...
Also, his endlessly, hilariously over-the-top opera designs for the Met in NYC!
Then they got new designs and it all went to hell for me.
More than his Romeo and Juliet, his ageless masterpiece ‘Jesus of Nazareth’ has affected and continues to affect millions of people. He was unyielding in every scene, in every detail.
I thank the Lord Jesus for his life and what he left behind.
Rest in Peace Franco, may our Lord welcome you into the Kingdom.
I love that song, and I bought the soundtrack years ago.
HIs ‘Jesus of Nazareth’ is one of the few films that I consider a must-own. (R & J is on there, too.)
The character of the old poofter Uncle Morty in the film Withnail and I is based on Zeffirelli. The author played Benvolio in Zeffirelli's Romeo and Juliet, and Zeffirelli was constantly hitting on him during the filming, which inspired the character of Uncle Morty.
In the Globe Theater?...................
“his ageless masterpiece Jesus of Nazareth has affected and continues to affect millions of people.”
Including me.
While dating, my late wife and I had numerous ‘balcony’ scenes in the hallway between my sister’s bedroom where she slept when she visited and my bedroom. 1970-71, we were all so innocent back then.
Robert Powell was a very convincing Jesus.
Probably the greatest life of Jesus story ever done. I have it on DVD and watch it every Easter season along with the Ten Commandments(Can’t beat Chuck telling Yul, ‘Let me people go’).
Have made love to it many times. Gawd how I miss my late wife. Just the opening few bars of that song can still bring tears to my eyes.
Ill give Withnail and I a look.
It’s a beautiful movie; I don’t think I’ve seen the story done better.
RIP to a great director.
His “Taming of the Shrew” with Liz and Dick was BRILLIANT.
And, of course, who will ever forget “Jesus of Nazareth”?
“Romeo & Juliet” was absolutely wonderful.
Olivia Hussey was luminous.
Yes, “Jesus of Nazareth” was very well done.
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