Reviewed by Amalisha HuEck
It is obvious some of the stories just need to be told. One of them is Viva VerdI!, a documentary that celebrates opera and one of the greatest composers of 19th Century – Giuseppe Verde, who decided to build the retirement home for musicians and opera singers in 1896. In this fascinating house opera is celebrated, established musicians are welcomed, and opera singers are given a second chance to let music enter their hearts, and to continue performing. The residents are always performing, even though some of them are suffering from some type of disease, and they are mentoring international music students who live among them. The students choose their mentor. Anyone can find the residence here; the only requirement is to be a musician with some record behind them. There are currently around fifty-five residents and sixteen students in Casa Verde. They all get second life at 84 or so … and most of them performed at Metropolitan or La Scala stage. It is beyond wonderful to be surrounded by something you love, until the end of your days.
Giuseppe Verde died in 1901 in Milan. After all the enchanting music he created, the retirement home for musicians is something he cherished the most, “Among my works, the one I like best is the home that I have had built in Milan for accommodating old singers not favored by fortune, or who, when they were young, did not possess the virtue of saving. The poor, dear companions of my lifetime! Believe me, my friend, that home is truly my most beautiful work,” said Verde.
The idea for film came in 2010, and 12 years ago the making of the movie began. Between choosing the right characters and building the story around them, finding funds, filming, and discovering those treasured moments that will make a film success, is quite a journey. The producer Christine La Monte, who is of Italian descendent jumped on the project with full enthusiasm, especially after visiting Casa Verde, where she discovered that 120 years ago, Giuseppe Verdi created a groundbreaking residence where creativity and music are a source of joy and vibrant health for many residents there.
It is always very dynamic in the house, and everyone who is willing to share their talent and their past, which is all usually in the suitcase – full of pictures, the current living during their ‘third act’ is presented with finesse. The editors Federico Conforti and Darianna Cardilli assembled raw footage into a coherent and engaging final product, shaping the narrative and emotional impact of a film. They skillfully intermingled beautiful wide shots lensed gauzily and gorgeously by cinematographer Jacek Laskus of a lunch sequence, which is the magical moment for everyone in Casa Verde, to playing cards, and gazing slowly through the field of sunflowers in the very beginning and at the end of the movie. The enchanting vegetation and the contentment of nature surrounding the place, to the ultimate closeup of ladies putting the make on and showing themselves in the light without ego, and the courage to perform, express and hold every note and if it cracks, they humbly apologize, being touched by unexpected and new experience of not reaching the note. Losing strength in the voice is always so hard. When the body is old, but the Soul that we are still young, those super close-ups bring out the spark of divinity.
Composer Nicholas Pike brought out every moment of the music during the movie to be the one we will remember. The hands on the harp virtuously playing it, the singing of the birds, especially the specific two birds, that interlap so eloquently with the music of Verde. The beautiful montage of the sounds in the house and in the garden where they go and meditate, bring us the contentment and the tranquility which calls for staying there forever.
Casa VerdI is truly a unique house. There is a lot of love, happiness and joy there. No one is nostalgic because the residents look forward to each day. Going to bed is a sad moment because they are all so alive during the day. Birthdays are special with lots of amazing old age and their memories. And if you ask me, I will always choose to see this movie over hundreds of pictures out there. All these people are special stars, but sadly no one knows about them. And by the end of the movie, we discover sadly that most of them are gone.
Congratulations on the marvelous movie presented by La Monte Productions, Wanbli and Simon says Entertainment, and produced by Christine La Monte, Yvonne Russo, and Ron Simons! VIVA VERDI! is directed by Yvonne Russo, who says, “Our goal is to provide a glimpse into the vital lives of these legendary artists, who are a testament to the importance of being creative at any stage of life.”
The LA opening was at Laemmle MONICA FILM CENTER, 1332 2nd Street in Santa Monica, CA is for one week only, October 3-9. After each showing there is a panel of filmmakers; Director Yvonne Russo, Producer Christine La Monte and Composer Nicholas Pike, who are through Q&A talking about their journey during filming. The discussion was moderated by Claire Agular (10/3), Tom Miller (10/4) Jon Burlingame (10/5), and President of the LA Opera League (10/6).
The following screenings follow in different cities; Oct.10 – Sarasota Opera House, Oct. 19 – Newport Beach Film Festival, Oct. 22 -*Italian Premiere in Casa Verde, Milan Italy, and Dec.3 – E2AC Social Impact Film Series in Lincoln Center, New York.
*Special LA Opera Night (10/6) is OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
If you would like to request a screening copy, please email KELLYHARGRAVES@GMAIL.COM