Verdi - La Traviata / Gheorghiu, Lopardo, Nucci, Solti, Covent Garden (1994)

Angela Gheorghiu is the definitive Violetta of her generation, the standard-setter against whom all other exponents of this role must be judged for the foreseeable future. Her affinity for Verdi's fragile, gentle-hearted courtesan is rooted in a fine balance of acting and singing skills. She looks right, her body language is eloquent without overstatement, and her voice is limpid, expressive, open to a variety of subtle shadings and used gracefully and intelligently. For this, her first Traviata, Covent Garden put together a production in 1994 that is solid and straightforward but otherwise unspectacular--a fairly subdued background against which her performance stands out all the more clearly. Though lacking the vocal splendor and personal magnetism of Placido Domingo, Frank Lopardo gives a sensitive performance as Alfredo, and Sir Georg Solti paces and accents this performance with a thoughtful subtlety that is relatively rare in his work. The result is deeply satisfying. --Joe McLellan Amazon.com

NOT THE DEFINITIVE TRAVIATA

I was hoping for the definitive Traviata and was disappointed. Angela Gheorghiu is an excellent actress, and she more than looks the part. But this is not just a drama, but an opera. She has a naturally beautiful voice, but she has a too-fast, nervous vibrato which bothered me throughout the film. I thought she might settle down, but it was worse in the death scene than in the beginning. She also has the bad habit of opening her mouth too wide on some vowels--I don't mean on the top notes, but on middle tones. This sometimes makes her singing somewhat uncomfortable to watch.
I have always liked Frank Lopardo, but he was not in particularly good voice the night of this recording.
Leo Nucci, sadly, was simply past his prime and sounded it.
On the positive side, the costumes were sumptuous, and the video was startingly sharp, making it seem more real. June 10, 2008

Wonderful Opera

I had company at my house and they were spellbound. Gheorghiu is beautiful to look at and has a wonderful luscious voice. The tenor Lopardo was adequit but a lot of the enjoyment came from the sets and costumes. Very nice operatic production. April 6, 2008

Drama v.s romance

The verismo opera reflects more truth of paradox in lives; and the directions of gaits reflect much of the concentrations.
I was touched [in Act I] when Alfredo speaks his love accompanied by the sweet melody of harp; [in Act II] the poignant moment Violetta struggles to leave her love for Giorgio Germont's sake.
At the end, she's gone in white, peacefully.

This play was profound in 19th century, a patriarchal/Christian society, for the first time a courtesan is made into a theatrical heroine.
I can't help but ponder whether her sacrifice is really a tragedy or a comedy in such setting.

Angela Gheorghiu's voice has characters, even in a high pitch. This is la Traviata you want to collect. December 13, 2007

Gheorghiu is the Violetta ?????????? Please..............

Please buy the Netrebko's Traviata and after we'll see who is Violetta. In this ROH production Sir Georg Solti and the orchestra are the only important issue. The singers,including sets and costumes contributes to make this Traviata a common one. Gheorghiu always looks and acts nervous and not relaxed at all, the same as in her Elisir with Alagna. The rest of the cast are acceptable in their singing and acting but only that. The stars are for Sir Georg Solti.

IF YOU HAVE TO CHOOSE A TRAVIATA TO BUY, THIS IS NOT THE ONE AT ALL. NOT EVEN FREE August 19, 2007

Brava Gheorghiu & cast!

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. March 25, 2007

More reviews at Amazon.com ...