Prima Donna (film)
Prima Donna is a television play from 1959 aired by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, adapted from the opera composed by Arthur Benjamin and directed by Alan Burke. This production was Burke's inaugural venture into directing opera for television.
Cast
- Valda Bagnall
- Geoffrey Chard
- Alan Ferris
- Rosalind Keene
- Alan Light
- Marie Tysoe
Production
This live broadcast, lasting one hour, was prepared with merely nine hours of rehearsal. Alan Burke reflected on the tight timeline, mentioning that Joe Post, the Head of ABC Music and conductor, initially underestimated the unique requirements of television. Having a background in radio, Post was doubtful about the effectiveness of TV close-ups; however, Burke persuaded him of their importance.
Marie Tysoe discussed the difficulties encountered performing live alongside the orchestra within the studio environment, where cramped spaces and intricate camera arrangements complicated synchronization efforts.
See also
External links
- Articles with short description
- Australian television plays
- Australian television plays based on operas
- Australian Broadcasting Corporation original programming
- Australian English-language television shows
- Australian live television shows
- Black-and-white Australian television shows
- 1959 television plays
- Films directed by Alan Burke (director)