Today I finally received the blu-ray disc I had been eagerly waiting for, the Live from La Scala 2007 performance of Verdi´s La Traviata, with Angela Gheorghiu and Ramón Vargas in the main roles.
Of course, I had to watch it immediately.
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| Angela Gheorghiu in top form at La Scala |
And what a performance it was, pure musical and visual delight! I have to admit, that I had certain doubts about Gheorghiu (whom I have previously only heard in televised "gala" type of concerts), but in this live recording both her singing and acting were simply wonderful. The late Anna Moffo was perhaps the greatest Violetta of them all, but with this performance Gheorghiu comes close. And the sometimes unduly underrated Vargas was outstanding as Alfredo.
And what a bliss to watch a performance, where the director - Liliana Cavani - had chosen to be true to the intentions of both the composer and the librettist! (No need to do what I did, when watching Aida from Basel).
It goes without saying that the Orchestra - under the eminent maestro Lorin Maazel - the Chorus and the Ballet of Teatro alla Scala were all in fine form.
Blu-ray and HD are transforming the home theater experience in a wonderful way. If you do not yet have this disc, buy it! - for about five pounds you get an unforgettable opera evening at the legendary La Scala almost free!
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