Verdi - La Traviata / Richard Eyre, Solti, Gheorghiu, Lopardo, Nucci, ROH Covent Garden

Obviously a lot of effort has been put into this production to give this classical work a fresh new look. The set is stylishly simple, worked especially well for the first two Acts. The costumes are sumptuous, especially those of Violetta's. The orchestra is lush and clear. Sir Georg Solti, who is on camera during overture and some of the instrumental passages, leads the music into a world that's extremely touching. But the most distinguished of this production is Angela Gheorghiu, in the role of Violetta. Gheorghiu has brought life to this Verdi's tragic heroine. Her vocal power and beautiful looks have won many of the audience, including me. She is exquisite or even unique in her way of acting, including her facial expression, hand and body gesture, reflecting her deep connection with the character. Her Violetta is full of drama and range, which is everything you'd imagine for this character: her arrogance, her kindness, her weakness, and her vulnerability. Vocally she is very strong. She certainly is one of the greatest sopranos in the world, if not the greatest. It is a joy to watch her singing. Because of all the brilliancies about Angela Gheorghiu, it must be hard to find a tenor who can match her vocal ability and her stage presence at the same time. Frank Lopardo, although with a good tenor voice, is unable to bring any depth to Alfredo due to his limited acting. Other than singing Alfredo's music lines (half the times with his eyes closed), he wasn't trying hard in his acting.The freshness would be totally succeeded, if not for the staging that still falls into the conventions of its own tradition and some weaknesses in the acting, but still it is a great production, and Gheorghiu can be the only reason to own this DVD.

WOW!!! That's the only word I can say after watching this incredible live version of "La Traviata". So much so that I watched it twice in a row. There have been so many fabulous sopranos singing Violetta - my personal favorite is still Anna Moffo. Unfortunately, the film version starring Moffo is lip-synched and her "Sempre Libera" is untouchable except for Gheorghiu's. For a singer that had never sung this role before, Angela Gheorghiu is magnificent. I admit having heard so much negative press about her had prevented me from expressing an interest in Gheorghiu's musicianship. Her voice is spectacular and she has wonderful dramatic instincts. The costumes and scenery are perfect - ornate but not overdone. She's a beautiful lady too with ravishing black hair. Gheorghiu like Moffo really physically looks like Violetta. Gheorghiu is completely believable - radiant and vulnerable in the first 2 acts and close to death in Act 3. Matter of fact, I thought she looked absolutely horrible in the death scene. Sound quality and video are outstanding. Hard to believe, Decca was able to accomplish both from a live performance. Tenor Frank Lopardo has a wonderfully handsome voice and sensitive presence. Their voices blend well together and the chemistry between the leads is very strong. The scene in Act I when Alfredo nibbles Violetta on her lower lip as she attempts to resist his kiss is truly seductive. I do disagree with the prior reviewer's comments about Leo Nucci. Nucci is perfect as the disapproving and stern father. This is probably the best live version of "La Traviata" on dvd yet. See Angela Gheorghiu in "Tosca" dvd.

I don't know of a "perfect" performance of "Traviata". This one has been criticized but my experience indicates the pluses far outweigh the minuses. I purchased the DVD because my curiosity was piqued when I learned that the legendary conductor, Sir Georg Solti, had been very impressed with Angela Gheorghiu's "Violetta". The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden venue, et al., also aided in my purchase decision.My subsequent viewing/listening experience proved to be extremely satisfying (and emotional). Ms Gheorghiu carried this role with a brilliance of interpretation I have not often noted in other colorature and Solti's sensitive, never-overpowered reading was a complement to her enactment. She displayed a gift for melding artistically, physically and credibly with this role. I found her mesmerizing.The other vocalists carried their roles capably. Frank Lopardo displayed the passionate, frenetic being of Alfredo and Leo Nucci's Germont was well in keeping with the age fraility of the Alfredo pere not often seen in other baritones who have provided more dominant characterizations. A few have criticized Ms Gheorghiu's Violetta somewhat harshly; some of these are unfair and not substantive for this live event. I believe she ranks among the best-recorded Violettas not only for her outstanding interpretation but also for her symbiosis with the supporting cast.

After Anna Moffo, Angela Gheorghiu is one cold and regal Violetta. The contrast is jarring. This is a good production but visually too minimalist for me. Solti and the orchestra acquit themselves brilliantly. But Ms. Gheorghiu is so formal and regal, and so cold, that I almost wish I had not bought this DVD, even with the added attraction of the highlights CD. Alfredo is superb, with a resonant voice; Ms. Gheorghiu also has a strong and accurate instrument. The sound overall is very good. But I am spoiled by Anna Moffo. She is so feminine and spontaneous, unaffected and passionate. She could be Violetta - she simply does not seem to be acting. Ms. Gheorghiu, by contrast, is definitely playing a role in an opera. She lacks the emotional authenticity and vulnerability of Ms. Moffo. As she begins to sing "Sempre libera, it sounds like she spits out the words, as if she were angry. It's puzzling. But Ms. Moffo sings her heart out, and she has won mine.

Alles Bestens

Un géant du classique. Très bien interprété.

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.

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.