Crowds gather in Florence for farewell to Franco Zeffirelli
The coffin of late Italian director Franco Zeffirelli is seen during the funeral ceremony at Florence Cathedral, in Florence, Italy, June 18, 2019. ANSA/Claudio Giovannini/Pool via REUTERS
FLORENCE (Reuters) - Hundreds of people gathered in Florence on Tuesday for the funeral of film and opera director Franco Zeffirelli, who died on Saturday at the age of 96. Zeffirelli, a native of Florence, was the last of a generation of Italian film luminaries who came of age after World War Two, including Federico Fellini, Luchino Visconti and Vittorio De Sica. Family, friends and politicians, including Culture Minister Alberto Bonisoli, filled the Santa Maria del Fiore cathedral. "Florence is giving back to the master everything he gave to the city," Mayor Dario Nardella said. Zeffirelli, who was often appreciated more by the public than by critics, directed more than two dozen films, working with stars like Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, Laurence Olivier, Alec Guinness, Faye Dunaway and Jon Voight.
He brought Shakespeare to the screen several times, and his "Romeo and Juliet" was nominated for Best Picture and Best Director Oscars. His 1990 "Hamlet" starred Mel Gibson.
One of the high points of his opera career was a production of Verdi's "Aida" at Milan's La Scala in 2006, which won more than 15 minutes of applause on opening night.
Franco Zeffirelli's son Luciano reacts during the funeral of his father, who died on Saturday at the age of 96, in Florence, Italy June 18, 2019. REUTERS/Yara Nardi
In 1994, Zeffirelli, who directed several productions at London's Covent Garden, was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for his "valuable services to British performing arts".
He also served as a senator for Forza Italia, the party of former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi, from 1994 to 2001.
Franco Zeffirelli's son Pippo and Florence mayor Dario Nardella put a Fiorentina football team scarf on Zeffirelli's coffin during a tribute ceremony in Florence, Italy June 17, 2019. Zeffirelli died on Saturday (June 15) at the age of 96. REUTERS/Yara Nardi
(Reporting by Angelo Amante, editing by Larry King)
Mourners gather for the funeral of film director Franco Zeffirelli who died on Saturday at the age of 96, in Florence, Italy June 18, 2019. REUTERS/Yara NardiA mourner touches the coffin during a tribute ceremony to Franco Zeffirelli in Florence, Italy June 17, 2019. Zeffirelli died on Saturday (June 15) at the age of 96. REUTERS/Yara NardiMourners gather for the funeral of film director Franco Zeffirelli who died on Saturday at the age of 96, in Florence, Italy June 18, 2019. REUTERS/Yara NardiMourners gather for the funeral of film director Franco Zeffirelli who died on Saturday at the age of 96, in Florence, Italy June 18, 2019. REUTERS/Yara NardiMourners gather for the funeral of film director Franco Zeffirelli who died on Saturday at the age of 96, in Florence, Italy June 18, 2019. REUTERS/Yara NardiMourners gather for the funeral of film director Franco Zeffirelli who died on Saturday at the age of 96, in Florence, Italy June 18, 2019. REUTERS/Yara NardiThe coffin of Italian director Franco Zeffirelli, who died on Saturday at the age of 96, is seen during his funeral in Florence, Italy June 18, 2019. REUTERS/Yara NardiMourners gather for the funeral of film director Franco Zeffirelli who died on Saturday at the age of 96, in Florence, Italy June 18, 2019. REUTERS/Yara NardiMourners gather for the funeral of film director Franco Zeffirelli who died on Saturday at the age of 96, in Florence, Italy June 18, 2019. REUTERS/Yara NardiMourners gather for the funeral of film director Franco Zeffirelli who died on Saturday at the age of 96, in Florence, Italy June 18, 2019. REUTERS/Yara NardiThe coffin of late Italian director Franco Zeffirelli is seen during the funeral ceremony at Florence Cathedral, in Florence, Italy, June 18, 2019. ANSA/Claudio Giovannini/Pool via REUTERSFranco Zeffirelli's son Luciano reacts during the funeral of his father, who died on Saturday at the age of 96, in Florence, Italy June 18, 2019. REUTERS/Yara NardiThe coffin of Italian director Franco Zeffirelli, who died on Saturday at the age of 96, is seen during his funeral in Florence, Italy June 18, 2019. REUTERS/Yara Nardi
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