Product Details

• Actors: Anna Moffo, Gino Bechi, Franco Bonisolli, Athos Cesarini, Arturo La Porta
• Directors: Mario Lanfranchi
• Writers: Mario Lanfranchi, Alexandre Dumas fils, Francesco Maria Piave
• Format: Classical, Color, HiFi Sound, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Video Artists Int'l
• VHS Release Date: March 30, 1999
• Run Time: 110 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6302166888
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #331,550 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Musically, this is a quite satisfactory Traviata. Visually and sonically, it has a few small problems (pre-digital sound, imperfect tape splices, moments of imprecise lip-synchronization), but it can be recommended for those who enjoy less-than-perfect historic recordings. Anna Moffo was an endearing Violetta, and her identification with the role is lovingly captured by director Mario Lanfranchi, who was her husband, with charming close-ups and detailed attention to her body language. Giuseppe Patane was one of the best Italian opera conductors of his generation, and he treats Verdi's masterpiece with stylistic sensitivity allied to technical expertise. Franco Bonisolli is visually and vocally just right for the role of the impetuous Alfredo and Gino Bechi gives a properly stern portrayal of his insecure, bourgeois father. --Joe McLellan

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Souvenir of Moffo's Violetta Valery, July 25, 2002

By 

M. Ramos - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Verdi - La Traviata / Patane, Moffo, Bonisolli, Rome Opera House [VHS] (VHS Tape)

It is difficult to imagine a more ideal casting than Anna Moffo in the role of Violetta Valery in Verdi's LA TRAVIATA. This movie preserves for posterity the reason why Moffo was the Violetta of the 1960's. A stunningly beautiful woman with an equally beautiful voice, Moffo has all the vocal and interpretative skills to manage this difficult role. The movie is very faithful to the score and the libretto, perhaps too much, sometimes to the point of looking like a theatrical performance instead. The movie does not have subtitles either, something that can be difficult for people with no knowledge of the opera. Besides this, the color and costumes are really good. Alfredo Bonisolli as Alfredo and Gino Bechi as Germont support Moffo both on the visual and musical aspects. Among the best scenes of the movie are "A Forse lui...Sempre Libera" with a sparkling display of Moffo's beautiful eyes and coloratura technique. Also remarkable is the Violetta-Germont duet, a moment where Moffo and Bechi create a great moment of musical theater. This movie is in my opinion, even with its technical flaws, more effective in making a case for this wonderful opera than the Zefirelli. It presents Moffo in her best role one, one of the best interpretations in opera history.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Classic Traviata Remembered, August 31, 2005

By 

Joseph Barba (Pollock Pines, CA USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Verdi - La Traviata / Patane, Moffo, Bonisolli, Rome Opera House (DVD)

The film is old, and the cinematography dated; however, we are fortunate to have such a vibrant Violetta. Without such films, we become jaded by the stylized, and often leaden, performances of today. We also need a sense of history. This film gives us a point of departure from which we can understand other interpretations of the opera. Anna Moffo is clearly a more believable Violetta than we are likely to find today. Her looks are distinctive, fitting with the character, not like the emotionally barren performances of most sopranos these days.

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Traviata!, August 1, 2001

By 

operamaryc "operamarty" (DIAMOND BAR, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Verdi - La Traviata / Patane, Moffo, Bonisolli, Rome Opera House [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This film is worth having just for Anna Moffo's performance and a great keepsake to remember her. Bonisoli is handsome and a good Alfredo. The setting is lush and costumes are wonderful. No subtitles which is fine with me, but a newbie might enjoy the film with Stratas and Domingo a little more. The style of acting is more "look good for the camera" as was the custom of the day (1968) and Anna has no trouble! Her mastery of the vocal demands much superior to Stratas in the later Domingo film. Just listening is a joy. A "must have" for any collector of Verdi.