What Opera Are You Listening to Now?

[San Antone]

Verdi : La Traviata
Violetta: Sonya Yoncheva
Alfredo: Michael Fabiano
Germont: Thomas Hampson
CONDUCTOR: Nicola Luisotti
Performance Date: Mar 11, 2017



La Traviata's sumptuous melodies and timeless depiction of doomed love have made the work a favorite of generations of operagoers. In his approach to this classic drama, director Willy Decker sets the action on a nearly bare stage, focusing the audience's full attention on the three main characters. As Violetta, the ailing courtesan desperate to escape her past, soprano Sonya Yoncheva offers a fearless and sympathetic performance from beginning to end. American tenor Michael Fabiano sings with ardent longing as her devoted lover Alfredo, delivering emotionally wrought phrases and ringing top notes. Thomas Hampson brings a burnished baritone to Germont, Alfredo's protective father whose stern demands spell disaster for the young couple. On the podium, maestro Nicola Luisotti leads an electric performance of Verdi's unforgettable score. (Met Opera on Demand)

I was impressed with this stripped down production: the singing, the acting, and the sets which were minimal but effective - all added up to a very enjoyable Traviata.

[JBS]

One of two Carmens in Warner's new Bizet edition. The other one is (yawn) the Callas recording.*


*Yawn because it's not as if the Callas recording is otherwise unavailable, and not because of anything inherent in the performance itself.

[JBS]

One of two Carmens in Warner's new Bizet edition. The other one is (yawn) the Callas recording.*


*Yawn because it's not as if the Callas recording is otherwise unavailable, and not because of anything inherent in the performance itself.

After action debriefing:
Act 1 was a bit mechanical and underwhelming, but the other three acts improved. Sort of "let Mrs Rattle sing her famous stuff, and then we can start with a real opera".

The version performed (Oeser) is the opera comique spoken dialogue version.

[Tsaraslondon]

*Yawn because it's not as if the Callas recording is otherwise unavailable, and not because of anything inherent in the performance itself.

Well, yes I suppose they could have used the Gheorghiu recording, or even the old Cluytens. The Callas and the Beecham recordings have been reissued many, many times before.