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La Gran Scena
Opera parodies by the
hilarious all-male troupe
Vera: Life of a Diva
Vera Galupe-Borszkh
looks back
Vera
Galupe Borszkh in Recital
produced by the founder of
La Gran Scena Opera Company!
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VAI DVD 4494 $24.95
Follow La Gran Scena’s legendary prima donna Vera Galupe-Borszkh from her birth in Odessa to her near-death in Rome, through her training with the great bel canto expert Maestro Manuel Galupe (the last living castrato), her marriage to him (“I loved what was left of him”), the formation of her opera company, La Gran Scena, her romantic betrayal by Hungarian baritone Fodor Szedan, her trial for his murder during Tosca, her comeback, master classes, career-usurping by upstart divas, and ultimate triumph – all told through side-splitting biographical episodes and great operatic scenes, performed with La Gran Scena’s internationally acclaimed combination of affectionate, knowledgeable spoof and musical excellence! 150 minutes, Color, mono, 4:3, All regions.
La Gran Scena Opera Co.
Ira Siff, Artistic Director
presents
Vera:
Life of a Diva
Starring Vera Galupe-Borszkh
and the stars of La Gran Scena Opera Co.
Ira Siff • Philip Koch • Keith Jurosko
Kyle Church Cheseborough • Patrick Jones
Musical Direction: Todd Sisley
Book written by Ira Siff
Stage Direction: Peter Schlosser and Ira Siff
Costume Design: Penny Luedtke, Susan Soedaert, Ken Yount
Lighting Design: Matt Berman
Scenic Elements: Richard Coumbs
Wig & Make-up Design: Christopher Banner
Encore Arrangement: Richard Burke
Jewelry Design: Lawrence Vrba
Production Stager Manager: Joe Mcguire
Managing Director: Colette Domingues
Videotape: Bradshaw Smith / Applause Video Productions
CHAPTER SELECTION
1. Introduction & Birth of a Diva
2. Vera’s Voice Discovered
3. Vera Departs for Rome
4. Philene Wanelle
5. Maestro Manuel Galupe
6. Marriage to Maestro Galupe
7. The Widow Galupe-Borszkh
8. La Gran Scena Opera Company
9. Saint-Säens: SAMSON ET DALILA En ces lieux, malgré moi
(Philene Wanelle and Bruno Foccaccia)
10. Vera: More Memories
11. Puccini: TOSCA Act II Excerpts
(Vera Galupe-Borszkh, Fodor Szedan, and Bruno Foccaccia)
12. Vera Awaits Judgment
13. Master Class
14. Vera’s Comeback (Sylvia Bills, host)
15. Massenet: MANON Toi! Vous!
(Vera Galupe-Borszkh and Bruno Foccaccia)
16. Puccini: MADAMA BUTTERFLY Flower Duet
(Kavatina Turner and Philene Wanelle)
17. Kavatina Turner
18. Vera’s Final Hours: Vissi d’arte
19. Final Speech and Encore
20. Closing Credits
© 1997 La Gran Scena Opera Co.
Creative content © 2009 Video Artists International, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
VAI DVD 4270, $24.95
Under the artistic direction of Ira Siff (aka Vera Galupe-Borszkh), La Gran Scena has become legendary for its opera parodies. Their debut DVD release includes their unparalleled take on Act II of Tosca. “La Gran Scena puts on a very, very funny show. If the company’s dramatic satire is right on target, its musical barbs are also aimed with deadly accuracy. Best of all, there is nothing mean-spirited about La Gran Scena’s wicked wit, which is always motivated by a love of opera and a joy in singing. Bravi!” —Peter G. Davis, New York. 112 program minutes and 48 minutes of bonus material. Color.
The Casts
Philip Koch, Keith Jurosko, Bruce Hopkins, Dennis Raley, Dan Brack, Charles Walker, Luis Russinyol, David Sabella, Johnny Maldonado, Joe Simmons, Ross Barentyne
Stage directors: Peter Schlosser, Jane Whitehall, Ira Siff
Wagner; Entrance of the Divas
Handel: “Iris Hence Away” from Semele
Puccini: “O soave fanciulla” from La Boheme
Donizetti: Mad Scene from Lucia di Lammermoor
Bizet: ‘Sèguedille” from Carmen
Verdi: Final Scene from La Traviata
Tribute to Diana Ross
Live at Theaterfestival, Munich, 1985
Bonus:
Puccini: Act II from Tosca
Live December 1994
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and 2001, Video Artists International & VAI Audio, All Rights Reserved
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