Verdi: La Traviata -- Royal Opera House [DVD] [NTSC] [2001]

In writing a review ,one always tries to be constructive. I revisited this disc after a number of years having not watched it for a while. I read several of the reviews and I've a feeling something may have been lost in translation in those from non English contributions.I can find no fault in performance or quality of the musical direction or the singing. I thought the sets were of the highest standard for live theatre especially of the time and all the principal singing was as Verdi would have required. Yes there may well be male voices of a diferent quality or sound but for their characterisation I found the male principals excellent .All that said, Angela Gheorghiu may well be the most perfect Violeta I have ever experienced and I use that expression deliberately in that her voice is perfect , her action is perfect and she is simply beyond stunning.For live Opera to be successful, many variables need to coincide for any given performance to reach the level of the writing by such a genius as Verdi. As I put in my headline this performance is nothing short of perfection , thank you all.

Good supplier (Second hand). The sound level is difficult to get right, when set correct for the quieter passages the others are far too loud. The performance is however first class in particular Di Provenza al Mar.

It would be unfair to lower the rating because there are no subtitles or even a menu. Fortunately I know the story well enough, but on a DVD this is a serious oversight. Angela Gheorghiu was superb as Violetta, and looked very attractive in her wonderful costumes. In fact, the whole cast were very smart, and the chorus sang with energy. Frank Lepardo warmed up as the opera progressed, and Leo Nucci was suitably self controlled and unemotional at first. Opera requires such skills apart from singing. The dramatic skills are just as important, and Gheorghiu movingly played her last moments with such feeling and natural emotion. For the money it was very good value, but newcomers to this wonderful opera might need to reconsider a version with subtitles. They will have missed a brilliant performance.

13.1.16. played this DVD for the first time today. Bitterly disappointed, sound uneven and picture constantly lost. We were so looking forward to having this production which we had on tape some years ago, but think that this must be a pirated copy. very poor.14.1.16. IDIOT woman here......nothing wrong with the DVD..... it is the player that has given up the ghost , as well as my brain. Sorry !!Have played it today on my computer and it is as we had hoped, a lovely recording.

It's very easy to see why this is one of the most popular operas. Even to those new to opera, such as myself, can easily relate to it.The storyline is very simple, the sets are very pleasant on the eye and there's plenty of passion and attraction to feel and view.The highlight of course is the performance of Angela Georghia - who plays the initially hard-hearted Violetta - a high class prostitute, well known and socially accepted by the local gentry.Her `warbling' at the end of Act 1 is quite remarkable and she never lets up during a very memorable performance. The two male leads do a thoroughly good job, but are simply 'ordinary' in comparison to the lovely nightingale. This is very much her opera and she brings the house down.I liked the cabaret of gipsies and matadors, again - something that was pleasing on the eye.Perhaps the final act was milked a bit, but you have to give these luvies a bit of license I suppose! Yes, I really enjoyed it, not the sort of thing you're likely to forget in a hurry! Definitely recommended.

As a performer myself, I often put this DVD on whilst I get ready, warm-up, apply stage make-up, etc. As a huge Verdi fan, I find this particular production outstanding. Angela Gheorghiu is so breathtakingly beautiful, feminine, strong, passionate, and her voice so faultless that it inspires me every time. Alfredo was a bit wooden at first, I thought, although he's really grown on me, and I enjoy him more each time I watch it!

This performance of Violetta (the heroine of La Traviata) justifiably established Angela Gheorghiu as a great operatic talent.Ms Gheorghiu has the added physical advantage of looking the part of a doomed courtesan. Most importantly, her voice has many colours which she used with great intelligence in this performance.The scene where death is close is particularly affecting.This DVD is a must for anyone who loves opers

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Alles Bestens

Un géant du classique. Très bien interprété.

per gli appassionati di opera lirica si tratta di un dvd imperdibile

Es mi versión favorita de "La Traviata". La puesta en escena es posiblemente la mejor que he visto en mi vida. Se comprende si tenemos en cuenta que el montaje corre a cargo de la Royal Opera House (Covent Garden). Llegó en el tiempo previsto y sin desperfectos.

This is as I said a wonderful production the setting for the opera and the singing are great.