Fellini News Update #12
1) Happy Birthday, Nino!
December 3, is the birthdate of Fellini's longtime musical partner Nino Rota. I know many of you share my enthusiasm for his music. Rota left us with an abundance of works to discover and rediscover. It's impossible to to pick a single favorite.
One of my favorites, however, is Orchestra Rehearsal (Prova D' Orchestra). From the opening movement with it's tick-tock rhythm to the mysterioso/clown-like passages of I Gemelli allo Specchio and Valzerino #72, the piece carries one along as if in a beautiful dream. Then comes what I feel is the prettiest melody Rota ever composed, the delicate Attesa (Waiting). Can there be a more romantic slow dance piece or antidote to road rage? But nothing gets my blood pumping like the Galop with it's turbulent rhythms, thunderous kettle drums and soaring French Horns. (I recommend cranking the speakers way up for this section.) The finale brings us gently back to earth with a return to the beginning. Da Capo!
The music for this neglected film would be Rota's last. He died shortly after completing it. Fellini said poetically of Rota's passing, "When he died, I was left with a kingdom of silent shadows."
2) La Dolce Vita. Big as Dallas!
On a brighter note, a brand new 35 mm print of, La Dolce Vita, is now playing worlwide at a theatre near you. Even in Dallas, where it starts tomorrow at the Angelika Theatre. Nothing beats Fellini on the big screen, so don't miss this opportunity. For more info about the Dallas shows, click here.
3) Fellini Eroticon calendar
A limited edition 2005 Fellini calendar, this year titled, Fellini Eroticon, is coming soon. Twelve months of carefully selected erotic images from the Don Young Felliniana Archive can be yours for $30. which is our cost for the short print run.
4) London calling
The recent Fellini Retrospective in London was a huge smash. The National Film Theatre, announced that it was the most successful event in NFT history. A large, mostly young audience of over 25,000 attended. Many patrons had to be turned away due to sell outs, it is reported.
5) A horse named Fellini
Dick Reed, owner of Toskhara Arabians in Aubrey, Texas, has a new stallion he named Fellini. They say he excells in the breeding barn. He is a handsome horse, I must say. You can see him here.
Don't forget to raise a glass to Nino. Ciao.
