
Puccini (1984)
1h 53m | PG-13
In Torre del Lago, by Lake Massaciuccoli, Puccini is writing "The Girl of the Golden West" when his wife Elvira accuses him of a dalliance with their maid, Doria Manfredi, a young women from town. Although the maestro is frequently unfaithful, he denies the affair; Elvira insists she's right and publicly hounds Doria. Between scenes in this domestic drama that turns tragic, we watch a Scottish company rehearse and stage "Turandot," Puccini's last opera. The film finds parallels between the two stories and suggests that in the opera, Puccini expresses love for his wife and guilt in Doria's fate. Three local gentlemen provide a spoken chorus as Puccini's score plays throughout.
Director: Tony Palmer
Studio: Ladbroke Films
Genre: Documentary, Drama
Video: 720p
Cast

Robert Stephens
as Giacomo Puccini

Virginia McKenna
as Elvira

Judith Howarth
as Doria / Liu

Robert Urquhart
as Doria's Father

Bill Fraser
as Fucini, the Lawyer

William Squire
as Giacchi, the Doctor