UNA STRAVAGANZA DEI MEDICI (TV)
Summary
This program makes extraordinary use of 20th-century
special effects to re-create the Florentine "intermedi"
of 1589, originally fashioned for the marriage
celebration of Ferdinando de' Medici and Princess
Christine of Lorraine. The genre of the intermedi
(literally, interludes), which is regarded by many as
the forerunner of opera, used extravagant stage effects,
such as gods descending on clouds and a three-headed
demon, to appeal to audiences. "Una Stravaganza dei
Medici," based on the original costumes, sets, and
effects, updates the extravagant effects using various
computerized post-production tools that manipulate
images on a television screen to produce the final
piece. Scenes were originally shot against a blue
background and, in most cases, the backgrounds for the
final version were drawn on a television screen and then
manipulated by a computer. Five stories from mythology
are told through music, singing, and dance and are set
to compositions by Marenzio, Bardi, Cavalieri, Malvezzi,
Peri, and Caccini.
(From the United Kingdom/France/Germany. This
program was awarded the Special Prize for Television
Arts, 1990 Prix Italia.)
Details
- NETWORK: Channel 4 (United Kingdom)
- DATE: November 30, 1989
- RUNNING TIME: 1:09:55
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:23269
- GENRE: Music
- SUBJECT HEADING: Dance; Choral music; Intermedi; International Collection - United Kingdom; Music - 16th century
- SERIES RUN: Channel 4 (United Kingdom) - TV, 1990
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Ian Martin … Executive Producer
- William Sargent … Executive Producer
- Paul Kafno … Producer, Director
- David R. Murray … Producer, EMI Producer
- Jonathan Hills … Director, Special Effects, At The Frame Store
- Ian Bryers … Special Effects, At The Frame Store
- Tim Webber … Special Effects, At The Frame Store
- Malcolm Bruno … Music (Misc. Credits), Musical Production
- Andrew Parrott … Music (Misc. Credits), Musical Director
- Luca Marenzio … Composer
- Giovanni de' Bardi … Composer
- Emilio de' Cavalieri … Composer
- Cristofano Malvezzi … Composer
- Jacopo Peri … Composer
- Giulio Caccini … Composer
- Andrea Francalanci … Choreographer
- Taverner Consort, Choir and Players, The … Music Group, Choir/Chorus, Music performed by
- Il Ballarino … Dancer/Dancer Company, Dances performed by
- Ferdinando de' Medici
- Christine, Princess of Lorraine