Rigoletto **** (1946, Tito Gobbi, Marcella Govoni, Mario Filippeschi, Giulio Neri, Lina Pagliughi) – Classic Movie Review 2545

Beautifully shot (in black and white by Anchise Brizzi), set and costumed (by Bruno Nofri), director Carmine Gallone’s 1946 film version of the Giuseppe Verdi opera favourite is extra fine.

Tito Gobbi (1913-84) is extraordinary as Rigoletto, Gilda is sung appealingly by Lina Pagliughi and is acted beguilingly by Marcella Govoni, while tenor Mario Filippeschi is perfect as the Duke of Mantua and Giulio Neri is unforgettable as Sparafucile.

The legendary Tullio Serafin is the conductor and Sergio Leone is assistant director.

© Derek Winnert 2015 Classic Movie Review 2545

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Tito Gobbi, with Maria Callas, Act 2, Puccini’s Tosca, Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, February 1964.

Tito Gobbi as Scarpia in Puccini’s Tosca, 1954.