Customer Reviews

Verdi: La Traviata Special Edition Blu-Ray - Exclusive Bonus Feature

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I saw this recording listed and thought there must be some catch; La Traviata performed at La Scala on Blu-ray for less than $10 didn't seem possible. I'm delighted to report it's for real! This is a production of the entire opera on stage at La Scala recorded live with audience in 2007.

As one would expect, the production is first class; the chorus and orchestra do a fabulous job and the settings are worthy of La Scala. The icing on the cake is the singers; all major rolls are well sung and generally look the part. The tenor, Ramon Vargas has less of a stage presence than the tenor on my other recording of La Traviata, Placido Domingo, but one should not hold that against lesser mortals.

Since the performance is a live production, the audience response is recorded as well; using the DTS-HD Master Audio places the listener in the Teatro alla Scala di Milano at this 2007 production. It's pretty exciting!

The HD video is so detailed I believe I could have counted the dots in the material on Violetta's sleeve in the first act. I have an OPPO BDP-83 connected to my Samsung T220HD TV/Monitor and when playing it on this set up one might say there is too much detail to be seen. I'm sitting much farther back with my primary surround system and will freely confess that less is more in this regard.

If you enjoy Verdi, and La Traviata in particular, I highly recommend you get this recording. The sound track offers both LPCM stereo and the DTS-HD Master Audio and does a great job on both.

I have viewed some of the bonus features and had mixed feelings about them; I am something of a traditionalist and have problems with productions of Siegfried that have a chest freezer sitting in the background; but that's just me I suppose. The section from Giselle looked very interesting and seemed to promise a good performance of that ballet.

This is another one I'm delighted to have in my collection!

I've spent big bucks for Anna/Rolando and Renee/Rolando Blu-Ray versions of Verdi's La Traviata, but this Angela/Ramon Blu-Ray version for under $10 is just fantastic. Plus, also included are bonus highlights of other performances. If you're willing to pay over $85 for an opera seat, you can't lose with this less than $10 Blu-Ray disc. With DTS 7.1, don't be afraid to crank it up and let your neighbors hear the music while you watch this lavish production. Go for it: push the button and order. Yes, you'll be amazed - it really is that good. Thanks Amazon for making this first rate opera so affordable and enjoyable.

Update 11/19/2011: I originally posted the review below in which I complained about the DTS surround track. Since then, I've bought a newer AVR which supports high-resolution audio such as the DTS-HD MA on this disc. My previous AVR didn't have an HDMI input, so I connected the video using HDMI directly to my HDTV, and used a digital optical cable for the audio from my Blu-Ray player to the AVR. This worked well for my other Blu-Ray discs, because the high-resolution audio was down-mixed to a a five-channel surround mix that sounded fine. For some reason, this Blu-Ray did not sound fine using that system, but it sounds great with my new AVR. The vocals are clear and no longer sound overwhelmed by the orchestra, and the orchestra sounds clear and well balanced.

So I am revising my rating from 3 to 5 stars, with the caveat that you *may* experience the audio issues I described below if you do not have an AVR that has an HDMI input for your audio signal. I believe that some Blu-Ray players also output high-res audio over multi-channel analog cables as well, so that should work too If your AVR does support high resolution audio, you'll hear an outstanding performance in excellent surround sound. I'm pleased to recommend this disc, which continues to be a real bargain.

Original review: I agree with the positive reviews about the performance, and the image quality of the Blu-Ray is excellent. Unfortunately, I found the DTS surround track to be very poorly mixed, with the orchestra sounding sloppy and often overwhelming the singers. The 2-channel stereo mix is better, which would indicate that the problem with the DTS was in the processing and not inherent in the recording itself. I at first suspected the problem I was having with the DTS might have been a result of my equipment, though I haven't had any similar problems with other opera Blu-Ray discs, but after reading a review on a Blu-Ray review website complaining about the same issue, it's clear that others have experienced it, too. Still, for $9.99, you get a great performance, outstanding picture quality, and if you're willing to settle for stereo instead of surround, an acceptable sound mix.

The bonus materials consist of trailers for other productions, and the menu to access these is sluggish and clunky, hardly the best way to convince buyers to shell out for more from this company. All in all, the whole disc strikes me as a missed opportunity.

Beautifully presented with excellent sound and superior colour and imagery.
The Sub Titles short and concise so as to properly follow the story line without loosing visual contact. Music superb as always.
Will be getting more of these Operas as we do not have an Opera House in Tampa.

I thought that the Franco Zeffirelli film starring Placido Domingo and Teresa Stratas on my copy of DVD was great. But, except for a bit of audio glitch, this is a good example of Blu-ray at its best. Video is so sharp and detailed on my 92" CRT projected screen that all emotions on the performers' faces hit me like never before. For the first time, I keenly felt the anguish portrayed and couldn't hold back my tears.

A must own for all opera lovers!

Wonderfully surprised! This Blu-ray exceeded all of my expectations. When I played it on my Panasonic player, and used my Panasonic home theater setup, both me and my three guests were impressed. The recording was made of a live stage performance in Italy, and the orchestral sounds were stunning; we heard every instrument, it seemed. The quality of the video itself was far superior to the usual Blu-Ray video -- which I have come to expect to be top quality -- as well. The only way to improve on the enjoyment of this performance would to have been sitting in the best seat, in the theater, the night of the recording. I have never cared much for opera before, but, based on this, I may have changed my mind.

Although I live in Pasadena, CA, where we have the LA Opera close at hand, I don't get there. Tickets are scarce and extremely expensive. My wife and I have recently begun "attending" opera again through our large screen TV and Blu-Ray player. This production of "La Traviata" was a wonderful addition to our library. To my ear, the performances were compelling.

This was the blu-ray disk by which I was going to benchmark my new blu-ray and HDTV set up. It did not disappoint: the picture was sharp with vibrant colors, and the DTS sound was absolutely fantastic. However, I also have the 1994 Covent Garden DVD version of this opera with Angela Gheorghiu as Violetta. I think her voice was better then, and her acting more natural, more passionate, more appropriate to her character. This new production at La Scala is elaborate and not as spartan, from the stage settings to the supporting cast, but I still like to watch the older version. It does not have all the niceties of blu-ray picture and sound, but it is a classic which is more pleasant to watch and to listen to.

This soprano's Traviata stands along with that of Maria Callas, Beverly Sills and Sutherland. Her interpretation is remarkable and noteworthy. She is a stellar soprano and quite beautiful to see on stage. The soprano of the hour!

The music, the play, the stage: fantastic value for an incredible price! If more opera on blueray would be available at this price I would not hesitate to buy it.