In 1896, iconic Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi built a magnificent retirement home in Milan, fittingly named Casa Verdi. Ensuring that the profits from his music copyrights would support the home long after his death, Verdi truly put his heart and soul into the project — an enduring memorial to his music and a sanctuary for elderly musicians no longer earning a livable income. A film written by Director Yvonne Russo and Producer Christine La Monte La Monte’s lovely documentary Viva Verdi demonstrates how, to this day, the residence brings together folks with a passion for opera music.
It’s quite the building to retire at – the best artists of the time worked on every fine detail. It’s a marvel of architecture. Today, Casa Verdi functions not only as a retirement home but also as a school of sorts, wherein opera stars and musicians mentor young students and share memories from their extraordinary lives. The film follows several legends, among them the eccentric Claudio Giombi, who has had a “40-year artistic career”. He proudly shares his prized possessions, reminiscing over photos and breaking into song. The man’s still got it.
“…a sanctuary for elderly musicians no longer earning livable incomes.”
Tina Aliprandi, at the ripe young age of 91, mesmerizes with her violin skills. Having been at Casa Verdi for 14 years, she states that “music helps me live.” Then there’s Lina Vasta, a soprano vocal coach who has a history of men suppressing her talents and a voice to die for. One of the residents, at 71, is one of the youngest and is referred to as “The Kid.” There are more, and Russo allows her subjects and the music to tell their stories. The students are earnest and talented, overjoyed to be taught by such legends.
The residents dine on exquisite risotto and prosciutto. They partake in “music therapy.” They live their dreams well past the point where most people have given up or moved past them. Their sense of humor and joie de vivre are intact. In this way, they’re certainly luckier than most. Yet, death is inevitable. Viva Verdi, while never delving too deeply into morose pondering, does touch upon this inevitability, a haunting little flame that burns in the background of the narrative, rendering it that much more poignant.
Featuring fascinating archival footage, timeless music, and a plethora of compelling subjects, Viva Verdi may have a rather narrow target audience. But boy, will it please them. We should celebrate little passion projects like this, so they keep getting produced, so that folks remember our culture, our music, our past, and so that they don’t get lost among the tidal wave of content. Encore!
For more information or screening details, visit the official website at VivaVerdiTheFilm.com.
"…fascinating archival footage, timeless music, and a plethora of compelling subjects..."
