Orchestra Rehearsal [Prova d’orchestra] *** (1978, Balduin Baas, Clara Colosimo, Elizabeth Labi) – Classic Movie Review 7376

The American theatrical release poster of Orchestra Rehearsal by Bonhomme.

Federico Fellini’s intriguing, teasing and provocative 1978 Italian satirical film Orchestra Rehearsal [Prova d’orchestra] follows the story of an Italian orchestra as the members assemble for a rehearsal in a run-down auditorium converted from an ancient chapel now threatened with demolition, under the inquisitive gaze of an off-screen Italian television documentary camera crew (voiced by Fellini). But then an uprising breaks out as the musicians go on strike against the conductor.

Fellini’s underrated film, running just 70 minutes, is an affectionate, clearly obvious satire on the perennial state of Italian politics, with the orchestra quarrelling instead of working together. It may not be top-flight Fellini, but there is plenty of fascinating incident and character, and it does keep motoring along.

Orchestra Rehearsal, the last collaboration between Fellini and his great composer Nino Rota, who died in 1979, was shown out of competition at the 1979 Cannes Film Festival.

Fellini writes the story and co-writes the screenplay with frequent collaborator Brunello Rondi.

The main cast are Balduin Baas – Conductor, Clara Colosimo – Harp player, Elizabeth Labi – Piano player, Ronaldo Bonacchi – Bassoon player, Ferdinando Villella – Cello player, Franco Iavarone – Bass tuba player, David Maunsell – First violin, Francesco Aluigi – Second violin, Andy Miller – Oboe player, Sibyl Mostert – Flute player, Franco Mazzieri – Trumpet player, Daniele Pagani – Trombone player, Luigi Uzzo – Violin player, Cesare Martignon – Clarinet player, Umberto Zuanelli – Copyist, Filippo Trincaia – Head of orchestra, Claudio Ciocca – Union man, Angelica Hansen – Violin player and Heinz Kreuger – Violin player.

© Derek Winnert 2018 Classic Movie Review 7376

Check out more reviews on http://derekwinnert.com