Product: La Traviata (2001)
Rating: 5.0
Gramoohone raved over this and justifiably so!
Gruberova is inspired in this traditionally staged and beautifully sung Traviata. From the very beginning you know this is going to be something very special: with Rizzi in the pit and Gruberova and Shicoff on the stage in Act 1 singing, acting and conducting are beyond praise. And from there is just gets better and better until the final tragic ending. As much as I raved over Kathleen Battle in the recently released L'elisir, and my comments there are not about to change. But I am simply left without words to describe Gruberova's performance. From piano to forte, her timber is extremely beautiful, very moving and with her acting we are watching a life story not a musical drama. Shicoff is in equal vocal estate and as always is very moving. There is no more sincere an artist than he. His Rudolfo with Cotrubas is equally compelling but that hasn't made it to DVD. That Royal Opera performance still remains languishing in the VHS vaults somewhere.. Zancanaro fills out the noble trio with splendor and vocal drama. Rizzi looks very young but his conducting is magnificent catching all the nuances and making no melody trite or inconsequential. This dvd adds to the growing list of must haves. I don't think the singers here can be overrated, especially Gruberova who is just simply stunning, beautiful, you choose the adjective. Listen, try and buy. Am I the only opera buff who thinks these recordings are worth having? Am I deluded? Nobody is reviewing these treasures. You can certainly own your opinion but let's here it. I can't be the only one impressed with these recently released opera dvds. Happy viewing and listening!