Verdi: La Traviata à Paris - The Soundtrack [Soundtrack]

Giuseppe Verdi (Composer), Zubin Mehta (Conductor), José Cura (Performer), Eteri Gvazava (Performer), Rolando Panerai (Performer), Nicolas Rivenq (Performer), Magali Léger (Performer), Raphaelle Farman (Performer), Alain Gabriel (Performer), Giorgio Gatti (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: José Cura, Eteri Gvazava, Rolando Panerai, Nicolas Rivenq, Magali Léger, et al.
• Conductor: Zubin Mehta
• Composer: Giuseppe Verdi
• Audio CD (August 15, 2000)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Teldec
• ASIN: B00004TT0K
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #56,191 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. La Traviata A Paris: Preludio - Zubin Mehta

2. Atto Primo: 'Dell'invito Trascorsa E Gia L'ora' - Nicolas Rivenq

3. Atto Primo: Brindisi 'Libiamo, Libiamo Ne'lieti Calici' - Nicolas Rivenq

4. Atto Primo: 'Che E Cio?' - Nicolas Rivenq

5. Atto Primo: 'Oh! Qual Pallor!' - Jose Cura

6. Atto Primo: 'Un Di Felice' - Jose Cura

7. Atto Primo: 'Si Ridesta In Ciel L'aurora' - Nicolas Rivenq

8. Atto Primo: 'E Strano! E Strano!...Ah, Fors'e Lui' - Eteri Gvazava

9. Atto Primo: 'Follie! ... Sempre Libera' - Jose Cura

10. Atto Secondo: 'Lunge Da Lei' - Jose Cura

See all 19 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Atto Secondo: 'Avrem Lieta Di Maschere La Notte' - Raphaelle Farman

2. Atto Secondo: 'Noi Siamo Zingarelle' - Raphaelle Farman

3. Atto Secondo: 'Di Madride Noi Siam Matadori' - Raphaelle Farman

4. Atto Secondo: 'Alfredo! Voi!' - Nicolas Rivenq

5. Atto Secondo: 'Invitato A Qui Seguirmi' - Jose Cura

6. Atto Secondo: 'Ogni Suo Aver' - Nicolas Rivenq

7. Atto Secondo: 'Di Sprezzo Degno' - Nicolas Rivenq

8. Atto Terzo: Preludio - Zubin Mehta

9. Atto Terzo: 'Annina? - Commandate?' - Eteri Gvazava

10. Atto Terzo: 'Teneste La Promessa' - Eteri Gvazava

See all 17 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

This recording comes from the "real-time" Traviata presented on European television in June 2000. The idea was to heighten the drama by placing the opera in Parisian locations that still reflected the 1850s setting, and then having the soloists sing as plausibly as possible to a recorded soundtrack. The effect was somewhat bizarre--especially when it appeared that Violetta's cramped, little Act IV apartment had a mysteriously grand concert-hall acoustic. The recording, however, allows one to judge the performance on its musical--and not its televisual--merits, and on the whole it comes off rather well. Dreamboat tenor José Cura makes a passionate and convincing Alfredo, and Eteri Gvazava captures the pathos, if not the sparkle, of Violetta. She excels in the dramatic deathbed music of Act IV, but is less happy in the spinto (and fiendishly difficult) scales and leaps of "Sempre libera" in Act I. The warm orchestral accompaniment is sensitive to the singers, but just occasionally lacks power. All in all, this is a good introduction to the opera and a neat tie-in to the TV production. --Warwick Thompson

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful music, very well sung, April 11, 2002

By 

D. Wolf "wolfd" (Fairfax, VA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Verdi: La Traviata à Paris - The Soundtrack (Audio CD)

So what if they overdubbed to make a good TV show... the singing is just fine. Not perfect, but Gvazava and Cura put on a very good show.

Remember that this beautiful music and drama was created as entertainment. Let's not get in the way of enjoying this fine performance with pointless academic refernces to other people who may have done it better. Lighten up folks!

Having vented all of that,I'm looking forward a release of the DVD version of this performance. The CD just is fine, but watching it as a full performance is even better. Just saw it broadcast by the CBC while in Toronto. Get the DVD, listen - watch, enjoy.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars angel music, August 23, 2001

By 

"naacf" (Recife, PE, Brazil) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Verdi: La Traviata à Paris - The Soundtrack (Audio CD)

level of recording and presentation beyond excellence. Couple Gura/Gvazava is a guarantee of full success. Please find me the DVD.

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, February 11, 2010

By 

Johnathonti "Ducati Rider" (Ohio) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Verdi: La Traviata à Paris - The Soundtrack (Audio CD)

If you were lucky enough to see the live broadcast on PBS you already know this was an exceptional production. If not, you still can experience some of the great performance with this CD. Opera is not always fascinating or inspiring. This production is! Truly great!