Search - Giuseppe Verdi, Carlo Rizzi, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra :: Violetta: Arias and Duets from Verdi's La Traviata [Includes DVD]

Exciting new Traviata

Ava Torres | 03/18/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In spite of many flaws, which are to be expected in a live recording, this is very exicitng new Traviata! I don't care about comparing this one to old recordings, if you want to hear Verdi sung by today's young, gifted and very engaging singers, this is the album to get. Callas, Moffo and Cotrubas were great, but what's the point of these endless comparisons. This Traviata can stand on its own. The tempi are on the slow side, but there's a feeling of great intensity, especially on this highlight disc, I like the way they put it together. I liked the complete opera recording too, but if you want to hear selection of great arias, this album works very well. Libiamo, Fors'e Lui and all the lyrical pasages are just great. Villazon is marvelous, so passionate. Anna Netrebko has such a beautiful voice and she puts so much drama into her singing, you don't have to see her to understand all the different emotions that Violetta is going through. Of course, these two singers look the part, that's just great, it's time we have such a good looking and talented pair to grace the opera stages. Hampson does not sound his best, but I liked him in Germont's role.

The DVD that comes with this album shows the Libiamo video, and I just can't wait for the DVD of this production! The other video for Donna Anna's aria is taken from Anna's previous DVD collection, but it's somewhat similar in style. This is a very nice bonus, and overall this is a great recording. I am very excited about this new generation of opera singers like Netrebko and Villazon. They may not sing technically perfect, but at least they make you feel something."

Great quality, especially for opera buffs on a budget

Doreen | Washington, DC, USA | 03/13/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Product-wise, this is an excellent purchase for opera fans on a budget. Apart from the CD which, frankly, has all the important bits of the opera, it boasts a DVD that really carves into your mind how good a performer Netrebko is, and how electric her partnership with Villazon (skip the Don Giovanni music video, though: 'tis pretentious and gruesome.) The DVD also reminds the buyer that opera isn't just about standing around and singing: it is a performance art, after all, and Netrebko is a compelling, radiant Violetta.



I won't comment on the singing itself except to note that I was not a fan of Villazon's "Oh mio rimorso" (not a fan of Pavarotti's versions either: too self-indulgent.) I liked the emotional quality of it, but thought he had a tendency to smush words together. Dude, you're angry, not drunk.



Overall, an excellent choice if you haven't the cash to invest extensively."

Anna Netrebko: a glorious Violetta

Byron Kolln | the corner where Broadway meets Hollywood | 11/04/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"While there is certainly no shortage in recordings of Verdi's LA TRAVIATA score (Maria Callas, Beverly Sills and Monika Krause immediately come to mind), a new version is nevertheless always welcome. This is a highlights disc featuring Anna Netrebko taking on the role of consumptive courtesan Violetta Valery, and Ms Netrebko does a credible job.



One of the relatively-recent discoveries in opera, Anna Netrebko brings a great deal of fiery youth and vocal polish to the role of Violetta; she literally sprints through "Folie! folie" and "Sempre libera" at breakneck speed, scaling those delicious high notes with incredible ease, but never makes the music more flashy than it needs to be. Partnering her in the role of Alfredo is the talented Rolando Villazon. Villazon is the perfect anchor for Netrebko's vocal pyrotechnics, and together they create some palpable moments with the duet "Ah non piu!". The hand-picked cast also features Thomas Hampson as Germont, Helene Schneiderman as Flora, Diane Pilcher as Annina, and Salvatore Cordella as Gastone.



Carlo Rizzi leads the Wiener Philharmoniker, and they do complete justice to what is in my book Verdi's single greatest score. The complete score is also available [Deutsche Grammophon 477 5933], but the full flavour of the story, and most of the better arias, are all amply-supplied on this "highlights" disc.



[Deutsche Grammophon 477 5953]"