Famous Composers: The Life and Work of Giacomo Puccini - DVD

The film by Malcolm Hossick tells the remarkable story of Verdi - who rose from poverty and obscurity to become one of the greatest opera composers of all time. It is followed by an overview of his work. Verdi was born in the tiny and remote village of Roncole near Busetto a town in the then principality of Parma, Italy. With the help of a local businessman he was given a good general education and under the local organist a fine training in music. In spite of terrible setbacks in his personal life he went on to become one of Italy's most successful composers of opera. The video traces his career and development over a long life and many operas. He never stood still and in his later years he produced some of his finest work. The video ends with a brief overview of his compositions. Verdi was born in the tiny and remote village of Roncole near Busetto a town in the then principality of Parma, Italy. With the help of a local businessman he was given a good general education and under the local organist a fine training in music. In spite of terrible setbacks in his personal life he went on to become one of Italy's most successful composers of opera. The video traces his career and development over a long life and many operas. He never stood still and in his later years he produced some of his finest work. The video ends with a brief overview of his compositions.

Gustav Mahler Mahler was born into a poor family in a small town in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. His astonishing musical talent carried him from there to the heights of music in his day as a conductor and composer. His vast musical landscapes have made him into one of the most admired composers in the musical canon. This film by Malcolm Hossick traces his remarkable life and is followed by a brief overview of his works. Mahler was born into a poor family in a small town in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. His astonishing musical talent carried him from there to the heights of music in his day as a conductor and composer. His vast musical landscapes have made him into one of the most admired composers in the musical canon. This film by Malcolm Hossick traces his remarkable life and is followed by a brief overview of his works

Tchaikovsky was born into a modest family on the bottom rank of the Russian aristocracy. His father was a mining engineer and after an early education from a French governess Tchaikovsky was sent to the School of Jurisprudence in St Petersburg Conservatory opened shortly afterwards and as one of it's first graduates he launched into the doubtful career of music composition. His gifts were soon recognised and he went on to achieve extraordinary international acclaim. The video traces his career and ends with an overview of his works.