Title : Verdi - La Traviata / Cotrubas · Domingo · Milnes · Bayerisches Staatsorchester · Carlos Kleiber
Author : Giuseppe Verdi
Release Date : 19901025
Binding : Audio CD
Regular Price : $33.98
Amazon.com Price : $30.98
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Editorial Reviews : The best Traviata on disc? If not, it's within hailing distance. No true Verdian would want to be without Callas's 1955 live recording, and it's hard not to love those starring Moffo, Caballe, Scotto, Sutherland, and de los Angeles among others. But this set offers the best all-round combination of excellent sound, fine singing, and dynamic conducting. Ileana Cotrubas is a wonderfully spontaneous Violetta, conveying the passion and vulnerability of the character. Only Callas among her starry rivals on disc can match Cotrubas's emotional and vocal mastery here. Domingo sings with ardor, and Milnes uses his beautiful voice to good effect as Germont. But it's Carlos Kleiber's show, and that enigmatic conductor leads the most energetic Traviata since Toscanini. Tempos are fast, but his sense of theatricality is unerring--this is one of those studio recordings that captures the sense of being at the opera house listening to one of those rare performances when everything clicks. --Dan Davis
Buyer Reviews : I am here to say that if you're looking to buy the best recording, this is the one. I have heard several Violettas but this is the best one, and the professional opera critics will agree with me on this one. I've listen to Maria Callas in her Portugal performance with Kraus (in which her voiced seemed strained), which is pretty good, but you can heard the audience thoughout the entire recording, plus, the recording isn't in stereo and isn't conducted as good as this one. Sutherland does a great job and jumps though the part with great easy, however, there is no 'pathos' or great acting in the voice. Victoria de los Angeles can't reach some on the high notes (especially at the end of 'Sempre libera') and has a really strained voice in some parts. Ileana Cotrubas sings though the hard parts very nicely with great emotion, unlike a lot of sopranos. Domingo gives a great Alfredo along with Milnes as Germont. The orchestra and the conducting are superb. There is a good balance with the choir as well. Therefore, this IS the greatest recording for any opera beginner's collection.
