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This is a magnificent performance. Gheorghiu's Violetta is wonderfully sung and so touchingly acted. No-one else compares with her in this role on DVD. She is sublime. If her colleagues are less interesting, it's because she dominates the stage with her itelligent and beautiful singing. Lopardo is a bit stiff as Alfredo - but suitably so for a youthful, shy young man. Papa Germont is well sung and acted. The staging is imaginative and traditional. Not especially spectacular but created with integrity and taste. Solti's conducting isn't especially fiery, but he reinstates all the cuts and performs the opera as written, earning much gratitude I feel. A "library" set which will be hard to better.
I've never seen this opera before but I had heard a lot about it. It commences well with some enjoyable and recognisable arias (some of which are parodied in the Pirates of Penzance by Gilbert & Sullivan). The costumes are lovely, the orchestra and chorus of the Royal Opera House, Covent garden impeccable, the leading lady looks the part, but most of the opera consists of Violetta alone on stage wailing incoherently (and I speak some italian!) Angela Gheorgiu has one of those voices which are technically brilliant but which have no real melody - far too much vibrato for my taste. This allows a singer to hedge their bets about which note they're actually on! Personally I was nearly climbing the walls by the end. Don't watch this opera if you need cheering up. Do watch this opera if you are out of touch with your emotions and need some serious melodramatic overload.Read full review
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