Get Out Your Handkerchiefs
CDs:
Back in the days before surtitles, when the thing to do before the matinee was take out Mom's LP and acquaint yourself with the material, I went to see my first opera at the Met, and it wasn't Amahl and the Night Visitors or The Magic Flute or anything else the culture police might have recommended for an 11-year-old. No, the work that afternoon was La Traviata, Verdi's heart-wrenching account of La Dame aux Camelias (i.e., Camille). I can't remember how much I understood about this tale of self-sacrifice or just what it was the lovely but ailing Violetta Valery (soprano) was doing with her life. But of course "Libiamo ne'lieti calici" from the first act caught my ear, and that was that.
Nowadays I get my opera fixes through WETA FM, CDs, YouTube, Classic Arts Showcase, and of course those happy discoveries on PBS's Great Performances. But I should also note that it is time again for the Washington National Opera season, and here comes their .
Yes, Violetta's back in town to break Alfredo's heart, or her own, or perhaps yours.
But if their love story is to remain with you forever, aside from memories of past performances, which recording(s) should you choose? Well, for all that it's a heartbreaking opera, you have some happy options.
Of the complete versions available, my preference is for the Deutsche Grammophon recording with Ileana Cotrubas as Violetta, Placido Domingo as Alfredo, and Sherrill Milnes as the elder Germont. It's an extremely moving performance, and Cotrubas in particular is quite emotionally affecting.
Domingo sounds very dashing here, and as usual I find that voice, with its darker hues, irresistible.
With such pleasing leads, it's good to report that the conductor and orchestra are an added delight. There's no room for slacking off with Kleiber and the BSO. Their commitment is total in a performance of energy, power, and excitement.
You'll also find a great sense of drama in the London recording of a live version of La Traviata conducted by Solti and featuring Angela Gheorghiu. This was an early triumph for the young Romanian soprano, an indication of her vocal and dramatic range, and she makes a remarkable Violetta. She's pleasingly teamed with Frank Lopardo, as Alfredo, and our old friend Leo Nucci, as Germont. And I must make mention of the Chorus of the Royal Opera House, which seems to be having serious fun.
Now there are those of you who may wonder how it is that I wound up featuring two Romanian sopranos in one blog entry. Better you should ask why Romanian sopranos are so good at portraying Violetta Valery.
But if you are determined to branch out, I can report we do have that late '70s Sutherland-Pavarotti recording of La Traviata, with -- who else? -- Richard Bonynge conducting. Sutherland is quite poignant, Pavarotti sounds convincingly ardent, and Matteo Manuguerra is a courtly, mellow Germont.
Sweet dreams, Violetta.
- Georg Solti/Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, with Angela Gheorghiu and Frank Lopardo: Verdi: La Traviata
- Carlos Kleiber/Bayerisches Staatsorchester with Ileana Cotrubas and Placido Domingo: Verdi: La Traviata
Back in the days before surtitles, when the thing to do before the matinee was take out Mom's LP and acquaint yourself with the material, I went to see my first opera at the Met, and it wasn't Amahl and the Night Visitors or The Magic Flute or anything else the culture police might have recommended for an 11-year-old. No, the work that afternoon was La Traviata, Verdi's heart-wrenching account of La Dame aux Camelias (i.e., Camille). I can't remember how much I understood about this tale of self-sacrifice or just what it was the lovely but ailing Violetta Valery (soprano) was doing with her life. But of course "Libiamo ne'lieti calici" from the first act caught my ear, and that was that.Nowadays I get my opera fixes through WETA FM, CDs, YouTube, Classic Arts Showcase, and of course those happy discoveries on PBS's Great Performances. But I should also note that it is time again for the Washington National Opera season, and here comes their .
Yes, Violetta's back in town to break Alfredo's heart, or her own, or perhaps yours.
But if their love story is to remain with you forever, aside from memories of past performances, which recording(s) should you choose? Well, for all that it's a heartbreaking opera, you have some happy options.
Of the complete versions available, my preference is for the Deutsche Grammophon recording with Ileana Cotrubas as Violetta, Placido Domingo as Alfredo, and Sherrill Milnes as the elder Germont. It's an extremely moving performance, and Cotrubas in particular is quite emotionally affecting.
Domingo sounds very dashing here, and as usual I find that voice, with its darker hues, irresistible.
With such pleasing leads, it's good to report that the conductor and orchestra are an added delight. There's no room for slacking off with Kleiber and the BSO. Their commitment is total in a performance of energy, power, and excitement.
You'll also find a great sense of drama in the London recording of a live version of La Traviata conducted by Solti and featuring Angela Gheorghiu. This was an early triumph for the young Romanian soprano, an indication of her vocal and dramatic range, and she makes a remarkable Violetta. She's pleasingly teamed with Frank Lopardo, as Alfredo, and our old friend Leo Nucci, as Germont. And I must make mention of the Chorus of the Royal Opera House, which seems to be having serious fun.Now there are those of you who may wonder how it is that I wound up featuring two Romanian sopranos in one blog entry. Better you should ask why Romanian sopranos are so good at portraying Violetta Valery.
But if you are determined to branch out, I can report we do have that late '70s Sutherland-Pavarotti recording of La Traviata, with -- who else? -- Richard Bonynge conducting. Sutherland is quite poignant, Pavarotti sounds convincingly ardent, and Matteo Manuguerra is a courtly, mellow Germont.
Sweet dreams, Violetta.
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