Rai Trade

After a fateful encounter in the summer of 1966, the lifepaths of two brothers from a middle-class Roman family diverge, intersecting with some of the most significant events of postwar Italian history in the following decades.

Saint Peter, a reluctant but passionate leader, from the crucifixion of Jesus to his own. The film's first half dramatizes the New Testament's "Acts": early fear, the renewal of Pentecost, Saul's conversion, the decision to baptize pagans, and the Apostles' dispersal. In the second half, an aged Peter goes to Rome to join Paul, arriving on the day of Paul's arrest. Paul's death brings a crisis to Rome's Christians and to Peter; lessons from Jesus's teachings guide his decision to stay. Events within the fictive household of Persius, a Roman aristocrat, capture the upheaval that Christian teachings bring to the Eternal City.

Diana Damrau performs the title role of Salieri's opera staged in the Teatro alla Scala in 2004. Riccardo Muti conducts the Teatro alla Scala Orchestra and Chorus with the cast also including Desirée Rancatore as Semele and Genia Kühmeier as Asterio.

Short documentary about the great italian director.

Determined to wed, a foolhardy old man is tricked by his friends into a sham wedding with an impish widow who turns into a harpy -- which subsequently cures his desire to marry in composer Gaetano Donizetti's famous opera buffa. Baritone Alessandro Corbelli plays the title character in this lush 2002 production also starring soprano Eva Mei and tenor Antonino Siragusa, with maestro Gérard Korsten leading the Chorus and Orchestra of Teatro Lirico.

If Rome is the capital of the world, then Alberto Sordi is his true son. He absorbed all the vices and valor of his homeland. His whole life was connected with his beloved city. He owed his first success to another great Roman - Fellini, and Italian became the only obstacle in his international career. On stage, Alberto Sordi might have seemed uncontrollable and rude, but could have been charming and slightly ridiculous. He played scammers and victims, sweet losers and unsurpassed drunkards with the manners of great comedians. But, even jokingly, he always remained serious.

This was Domingo's last set of performances as Otello in La Scala. In spite of his relatively advanced age, he is still in excellent form, both vocally and in terms of stage presence. Nucci is also his usual self, delivering a performance of very high standard. Barbara Frittoli is an excellent Desdemona, in good voice and gives a very moving performance. Muti conducts with great emotion and tight accuracy, conveying the full orchestral drama of the score.

Recorded live at the Teatro Alfieri - Torino, 14 October 1977. Archie Shepp: saxophone. Siegfried Kessler: piano. Cameron Brown: bass. Clifford Jarvis: drums. Setlist: Things Have Got To Change (Calvin Massey). Sophisticated Lady (Duke Ellington). Steam (Archie Shepp). Invitation (Bronislaw Kaper). Sonny's Back (Grachan Moncur III).