Customer Reviews

Verdi - La Traviata / Patane, Moffo, Bonisolli, Rome Opera House [VHS]

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

This film captures the magic of Anna Moffo's unforgettable interpretation of Violetta. There is honestly no-one around these days who can sing and act and look this good. I can take or leave the rest of the cast, because Moffo is so good.

I must completely disagree with any disgruntled reviewers of this wonderful dvd performance of "La Traviata" starring the beautiful & talented Anna Moffo. The print and sound quality are excellent. So what if they are lip-synching! Many of us including myself were not even born yet when Moffo was in her prime and were unable to see her live performances. This is a terrific memento of the greatest American born soprano in her heyday. The acting and cast are all outstanding. 5 stars for Ms. Moffo's portrayal of Violetta. Pick it up and see for yourself.
Brava La Moffo!

Anna Moffo might well have been the soprano Verdi had in
mind when he wrote La Traviata so well suited to the part
of Violetta she is - a strikingly beautiful woman combined
with a warm and radiant voice of considerable range and agility
and an affecting way with words and music. The very young
Franco Bonisolli is an attractive Alfredo both vocally and
visually while the veteran Gino Bechi is a convincingly stern
looking and vocally resonant Germont. The supporting cast is
in good hands. Sets and costumes are somptuous and the staging
faithful to the libretto however as often with opera movie the
end result is a bit static lacking spontaneity yet all in all
a beautiful movie and a lovely memento of Anna Moffo in her
signature role.

I love La Traviata and adore Anna Moffo...but this was an awful "movie" to say the least. I baught this DVD under the impression that it was a live performance; however, it is in movie format with lip-syncing...and even that is horrible. Anna looks as if she is just speaking the words rather than singing them. The sound quality is that similar to a record player (scratchy and unclear at times). I was very much disappointed with the purchase of this DVD. You'd be better off simplying buying a CD recording of Anna Moffo's La Traviata because the acting is not that good either. Her Bel Telephone Hour video is much better...I would recomend that...it has a much better version of her La Traviata

For an opera film in 1968, this is a vivid performance, both artistically and techno-electronically. This film is all about Anna, with a supporting cast which is more than adequate. How can any red blooded male, or even female, not fall in love or at least sympathize with this Violetta? The lips are mumbling, but voluminous music spew out of those lungs. This shortcoming is easily forgiven. I don't mind the lip-synch, given the beautiful music extolled by the performers. The bottom line about this film: Anna Moffo is Anna Moffo !!

It is very difficult to enjoy the music and singing with such a low sound quality. ... As for the film itself, it is much inferior to the 1976 Zeferelli/Stratas movie in all the respects: staging, acting, singing, and conducting. Lip-syncing is just awful. Patane's tempi are all too fast, and Verdi's moving masterpiece becomes too hasty. As if he was late for dinner that day, and wanted to finish faster. Moffo's acting is much inferior to Stratas', and voice wise Stratas is also more interesting, at least in this particular role. Of course, this might be just to my taste, but Stratas made me cry because of the sympathy to her heroine. Here, well, nice voice, beautiful woman, but not touching at all, as this opera is supposed to be. In sum, the only reason you may want to buy this DVD is, if you are such a die-hard Moffo fanatic that simply cannot miss any Moffo sighting. Even in this case I would suggest that you consider not endorsing the amateurish level DVD transfer by VAI with your hard earned dollar.

Anna Moffo is superb. The filming is excellent. However I prefer a production of a live performance on stage.