“When I walked in the room to audition for director James Ivory, my life changed. We clicked immediately and he wound up changing the character I was auditioning for from an aspiring violinist to an aspiring opera singer. In the month I was in Paris working on this film, I learned what it was to be an artist, and engaged in some high-camp operatic shenanigans at the same time. Though I’m biased, this is one of my favorite Merchant Ivory films in that it tells an incredibly human story with verve, glamour, and an idiosyncratic wit.”―countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo

Anthony Roth Costanzo began performing professionally at the age of 11 and has since appeared in opera, concert, recital, film, and on Broadway. His debut album, ARC, was nominated for a 2019 Grammy Award, and he was Musical America’s 2019 vocalist of the year. He recently appeared in the title role in the Met’s Akhnaten. Costanzo has performed with many of the world’s leading opera companies, and at venues from Carnegie Hall, Versailles, and the Kennedy Center to the Park Avenue Armory and Madison Square Garden.

ABOUT THE FILM

This portrayal of the family life of author James Jones (played by Kris Kristofferson) is based on an autobiographical novel by his daughter. Also starring Barbara Hershey, Leelee Sobieski, and Anthony Roth Costanzo (who was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for his performance), this Merchant Ivory production is nuanced, detailed, and gorgeous.

35mm print courtesy of Universal Pictures Repertory