On Monday, Oct. 29, 2018, the Film Forum will present Luchino Visconti’s 1954 masterpiece “Senso” with a pre-screening talk.

The talk will provide a historical context for the film’s opening sequence, which features Verdi’s “Il Trovatore” at Venice’s La Fenice, that soon erupts into a political riot.

In a press release, August Ventura noted, “I am delighted to be returning to Film Forum on Monday the 29th to introduce the 8 p.m. screening of the new restoration of Luchino Visconti’s 1954 masterpiece ‘Senso,’ currently beginning a two-week engagement. Before the screening, I will provide historic context for the film’s incomparable opening sequence: a performance of Verdi’s ‘Il Trovatore’ at Venice’s La Fenice that soon erupts into a political riot.

“Think of it as a pre-show TED-like talk on Verdi’s operas as an agent of political change. ‘Senso’ is a marvelous epic of a doomed love affair set against the backdrop of Italy’s struggle for independence — a film well worth (re-) discovering.”

“Senso” features the voices of Anita Cerquetti and Gino Penno in selections of “Il Trovatore.” The film was released in 1954 and went on open at the Venice Film Festival.