Search - Christian du Plessis, Denis Dowling, John Gibbs :: Verdi: La Traviata

La Traviata In English Is Powerfully Moving & Beautiful

Rudy Avila | Lennox, Ca United States | 09/16/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Chandos record label has produced many albums of operas sung in English quite successfully. It's the perfect way for the beginner to get hooked into opera. Among other Chandos Opera In English are Don Giovanni, Abduction From The Seraglio, Carmen, Turandot, Lucia Di Lammermoor and others. The good thing about these recordings is that high quality singers lend their talents into singing the English version of operas which they have also sung in their native Italian, German or French. Dramatic soprano Jane Eaglen sings the Empress Turandot, lyric soprano Elizabeth Futral sings Lucia and in this La Traviata, soprano Valerie Masterson makes a beautifully moving and touching performance as Violetta Valery. Singing opposite her as Alfredo is tenor John Brecknock and as Germont is baritone Christian Du Plessis.

La Traviata seems to be even more beautiful in English somehow. Listening to the familiar melodies and arias, which of course sound gorgeous in its original Italian, nevertheless contain a warm human quality and magic when sung in English. None of the charm and beauty of the opera is lost and note for note the opera is still beautiful in English. Only at times, as someone pointed, the chorus or some of the lines in the recitatives become silly. But it's minimal compared to the beautiful recording this is.



Valerie Masterson, perhaps more than any other soprano, has sung a great number of operas in English. British by birth, and perhaps she is even a Dame now, she started her career singing Gilbert and Sullivan with the D'Oyly Carte Opera Commpany, a position as the principal soprano, taking on all the lead roles in Pirates Of Penzance, The Mikado, H.M.S. Pinafore, Yeoman Of The Guard, Iolanthe, The Gondoliers and many others. She has also sung English versions of Handel operas, most notably as Cleopatra in Julius Caesar a part which she sang opposite Dame Janet Baker as well as Handel's rare gem of an opera Ariodante. Other parts she has sung are Gilda in Verdi's Rigoletto and Juliet in Gounod's Romeo Et Juliette. Her French singing voice was beautiful to hear. The tenor in this recording, John Brecknock, pales somewhat in comparison to the more dynamic Valerie Masterson, but he is focused and comes off as romantic and passionate just as Alfredo is supposed to be. He is quite convincingly jealous in the Act 2 Party in which he believes Violetta has betrayed him and he pays her all he owes, throwing money at her. Christian DuPlessis makes a very dramatic Germont, more so in English than in Italian where he tends to come off as cold, stoic, even in the last act when he is moved to tears by Violetta's death after seeing her suffer. In English, his guilt is very heavy. He has seperated the lovers because Violetta is a courtesan and wanted Alfredo to forget her. But he regrets his action when he learns that Violetta is dying and has kept her from a happy life with Alfredo. It really is a great opera sung in English. But if it boils down to one reason why you should own this recording it is Valerie Masterson as Violetta. Fans of Miss Masterson will truly relish this performance. She is everything Violetta is supposed to be- festive in Act 1- "Sempre Libera" in English becomes "Give Me Liberty To Be Happy" and does not lose any of the dazzling coloratura or high top registers, the emotional and poignant duet with Germont is very well executed and the Addio Del Passato aria at the end in Act 3 "Forever I Must Leave Thee" is extremely sad when sung by the English diva. The finale is not to be missed. Finally, a La Traviata any English speaking person can understand and emote right with the others as Violetta takes her final breath."

A precious souvenir of two great artists

Ralph Moore | Bishop's Stortford, UK | 08/24/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Previous reviews of this recording, on both Amazon.com and .uk have very intelligently and perceptively argued its high quality; I would simply add that having returned to it after many years' interval I am newly struck by the energy, vitality and sheer elan of this lovely performance.



Over twenty-five years later, since its appearance, it still very much holds its own in a not exactly crowded recorded field and, if anything, its beauties are even more apparent - even though we have since had Netrebko and Gheorghiu giving us their estimable versions.



Valerie Masterson is still very much active as a lecturer and patron and is still not a DBE - which is a real injustice, given the pleasure she gave to so many and the artistry she displayed in her glittering career with the ENO and internationally - especially in French roles.



It is true that ideally "Traviata" needs to be heard in its original Italian and although the translator sometimes does an excellent job in making the English fit the rhythms and stresses of the music, such that it even echoes the Italian, at other times it jars when one has become accustomed to certain Italianate phrases. Having said that, the principals' diction is crystalline and allows the tyro listener to appreciate the intricacies of the plotline despite the odd silly-sounding repetition.



I also find myself newly appreciating the liquid plangency of John Brecknock's tenor; he often sounds like his contemporary Ian Partridge. Both have light, but not throaty or hooty, voices and if you like Brecknock as Alfredo, I recommend your buying his excellent ENO "Werther" with Janet Baker. He doesn't have especially ringing top notes but he gets to the emotional heart of the role and sounds convincingly boyish and naive.



As a previous review notes, Du Plessis' baritone is light but neat and flexible; he really sounds as if he means what he is singing. Mackerras conducts in a wholly unobtrusive, sensitive manner and the ENO orchestra plays beautifully.



Valerie Masterson was a hugely under-recorded artist and her recital disc of French roles was made a little too late in her career to do her full justice, so I urge her fans - and potential fans - to acquire this set for a fresh perspective on a Verdi favourite and to hear a great English (not American, as one reviewer suggests) singer in her prime."

La Traviata In English: A Great Recording

Ralph Moore | 12/27/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Giuseppe Verdi's La Traviata is the quintessential Italian opera. There is no arguing that it's always better when it's performed and sung in its original Italian language, with singers who grasp the Italian diction superbly and who provide dramatic prowess. Nevertheless, this recording conducted by Charles Mackerras and starring Valerie Masterson as Violetta makes a wonderful introduction for beginners. Sung in English, the plot and the dramatic core of the story is easier to understand and even more enjoyable. If you want to get into opera, begin with the "English versions" such as this one. Then, once you have acquired the taste you can move on to the much talked about recordings sung in Italian or see a live performance.Valerie Masterson was an English lyric soprano (she may have been American) who specialized in English versions of opera and Gilbert aned Sullivan operettas, as well as English versions of Lehar's Merry Widow and Broadway musicals. She was singing and recording in the 60's, most notably with the D'Oyly Carte Opera who dedicated their repertoire to Gilbert and Sullivan. Valerie Masterson's voice is rich, full lyric and her coloratura is dazzling. Though light voiced, she is well schooled and trained in the art of acting her parts really well. Violetta's suffering and sacrifice has never sounded better than in English and her duets and recitatives with Alfredo are gorgeous. The story of the courtesan who gives up her true love Alfredo only to die in his arms of consumption has remained one of opera's most enduring romances. This is an excellent recording and a way to begin your tastes in opera."