La Traviata

It would be hard to imagine a more satisfying version of Verdi's 1853 masterpiece than this opulent 2007 production from La Scala in Milan. Revolving around the hopeless love affair between smitten Alfredo and consumptive Violetta (who lets Alfredo go at the urging of his father Germont, but then falls desperately ill), La Traviata is staged here in an absolutely traditional mounting (no Eurotrash trappings whatsoever) with lovely costuming. More importantly, the musical performance is strong across the board: veteran Lorin Maazel conducts with both sensitivity and style, drawing cultivated playing from the Teatro alla Scala orchestra and precise, robust work from the chorus. The beautiful and affecting Angela Gheorghiu is perfect, in both voice and appearance, as the doomed heroine, while Ramón Vargas (who, admittedly, is no hunk) matches her well vocally, and Roberto Frontali is a fine Germont. Although it was a notorious failure upon its premiere, La Traviata has since become one of the world's best-loved operas. Presented on standard DVD with fine camerawork and excellent sound (including DTS, Dolby Digital 5.1, and PCM stereo options), and looking and sounding especially splendid on Blu-ray (with PCM stereo and HD-DTS Master Audio 7.1 options), this is easily one of the very finest versions of La Traviata available in a crowded field. Highly recommended. Editor's Choice. Aud: C, P. (F. Swietek)