If you caught my Gallery entry this week, you will know my choice of novel was A Room with a View by E M Forster. Whilst it had particular resonance for me, it was interesting to hear how many of you had also fallen in love with the book and the Merchant Ivory film of 1985.
So to start your day off with a bit o’ culture, like, get a load of this excerpt from the film, showing the smooch between Lucy and George (Helena Bonham Carter and Julian Sands). Two things struck me when watching this now. Firstly, the kiss itself, out of context, doesn’t quite do it for me like it used to. Secondly, if I were Lucy I’d have had a quick grope with the Italian carriage driver.
What still sends me all hopelessly soppy however is the music, which kicks in after about two minutes on this clip. It is the aria ‘Chi il bel sogno di Doretta’ from La Rondine by Puccini, sung by Dame Kiri te Kanawa. If you can, turn the volume up and sing along as I did yesterday (much to the annoyance of neighbouring dogs, as the high notes are extremely painful). I have no idea what the words are so could well have been singing a pizza menu.
The more famous piece of music associated with the film is ‘O mio babbino caro’ from Gianni Schicchi by Puccini. It’s also sung beautifully by Dame Kiri. Hope you like it. My neighbours love it.
What a lovely start to Friday…..I love puccini..the peoples composer…and Miss Honeychurch was mad not to linger with the italian coachman!! Oh I shall be humming and smiling all day…that'll confuse them at work!
@Libby – glad you agree. He seemed much more exciting than the foppish George! Will think of you humming to yourself today.
Ah dear Helena – before she became all witched up in Harry Potter. Actually, onreflection, I think I prefer her as a witch!
I'm trying desperately to catch up on blogs and having a lot of trouble! I've never read or seen Room with a View and I think I should.
Hope you're well.
CJ xx
Room with a View appealed on the basest level with my teenage angst. even then i would sing at the top of my voice, my italian pronounciations similar to yours, often adding the names of pasta dishes. i need to see this movie again.
nice post. x
Corrr. Ahem. Sorry.
Lovely music.
Just a kiss with the coach driver?…Trish, you disappoint me.
Ah, a woman after my own heart. I love to sing opera when no-one is listening. Like you I don't have the first idea what I'm singing but it's very therapeutic!
Have always loved this piece of music, almost as much as Un bel di vedremo
You'll remember that the (delicious) coach driver was actually having a thing with some blond moppet that he picked up in the carriage on the way there… otherwise I'm sure Lucy would have seen sense!
Thank you – made my evening! (that and B hanging out all the washing of course…)