LA DONNA PIU BELLA DEL MONDO
Italy 1955

DVD release 2007 PSV 6840

Lollobrigida was often considered as an Italian sex symbol, but the reality is more interesting. In her days more popular than La Loren she began her career with appearances in  opera movies. In fact she even studied singing for herself before embarking on a screen career. She did Nedda in a Pagliacci film opposite Gobbi (1948)  besides making appearances in Lucia di Lammermoor (1946) and ‘The young Caruso’ (1951).  In the Italian opera film “based” on the life of Lina Cavalieri she plays not only the leading role but sings herself.
Her Vissi d’Arte was even released on a 45rpm record. Mario Del Monaco also sings in the film –Cavaradossi- but doesn’t act.
La Cavalieri herself made a couple of films as well. A year ago Paul Fryer published his biography of  ‘opera’s greatest beauty’ . The book is published by

McFarland. In the rare pictures below you see conductor Giuseppe Morelli, Lollobrigida and Mario Del Monaco getting ready for the final duet in Tosca and the cover of her rare 45 rpm record including Tosca’s prayer and Tosti’s Ideale amongst others.