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Renee Fleming is a riveting, mature Violetta on her first recorded DVD of Traviata. Villazon's magnetism and energy add to the thrill. Hurrah for the cast and LA Opera.Verdi - La Traviata
I enjoyed the dvd very much, in fact i have watched it three times since i bought it. I have recomended it to others to watch.
Magnificent. Completely in keeping with what most opera lovers expect.Beautiful costumes and decors and a spine chilling rendering of Verdi's music.
How can you get any better than Fleming and Villazon. There were too many contrasting emotions; the son was unsure if he was furious, hurt, or shocked, and Dad was making demands but still wanted to be "Dad". It did not seem natural. And when an opera is filmed, there are close-ups and facial expressions with the emotions can make a great opera. However, the performance lacks direction. There were many scenes where the performers seemed to be uncertain as to what to do or where to be. You can always watch a production of La Traviata and if you get bored you can close your eyes and glide through the clouds with the music. No longer do performers stand on stage and sing to the audience, they include acting in their performance.
I am not criticizing any of the performers. Opera has changed drastically over the past 20 years. I was expecting a 'great' opera when I sat down to watch, and I was disappointed. In this case, the performance was lacking. The voices are so good, and the two of them are comfortable with each other. I do not like to compare operas and performances; however, Villazon was superb in the DVD (La Traviata) with Netrebko from Salzburg.
Fleming and Villazon are the ulitimate in opera today, but they do what their director tells them. The scene with Villazon and his father likewise did not seem realistic. The direction made the difference. I can always enjoy listening to this DVD again.
This performance is a knockout.Admittedly, Renee Fleming has become "larger than life," to the point that it is not always possible for her to disappear inside her roles; you always know that you are watching the great Renee. And the chemistry between the two leads is palpable.La Traviata is by far my favorite opera and I have heard and seen it hundreds of times. Well, all my misgivings were rendered unwarranted. Second, I have been less than satisfied with some of Renee Fleming's recent performances on CD, finding them to be mannered and self-indulgent. I will admit to having some doubts about this performance before viewing it. Renee Fleming gives an equally moving and perhaps even better-sung performance, and Rolando Villazon and Renato Bruson are FAR superior to Frank Lopardo and Leo Nucci (even though, like Nucci, Bruson has passed the point at which he can give a performance worthy of his talent). He may be the most believable Alfredo on video. Fleming both in beauty of tone and dramatic intensity.
Admittedly, Marta Domingo directs with all the subtlety of a sledgehammer, and her costume and set designer follows her lead. She sang with glorious, refulgent tone throughout, but never let it get in the way of her making a dramatic impact. First, several years ago, I gave a glowing review to the DVD and CD of the performance under Solti, finding Angela Gheorghiu to be the definitive Violetta. Nevertheless, this performance left me in tears. But that fact did not diminish her performance, at least after getting past the first act (which for me is merely warm-up for the second and third acts, which, on their own could be the greatest opera ever). Rolando Villazon just about matches Ms. But such is the magic of the performances by the two leads that if I could have only one recording of the opera, I would choose this one, despite the outstanding work of Angela Gheorghiu in her Covent Garden performance. This DVD is ESSENTIAL for any opera-lover's collection.
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