On 2010-08-09 Yong Liu, where the Panda bear hanging around wrote: First, I think they all deserve a ´Bravo´! I think it is a well-balanced production. Kind of traditional on its sets, moderate in its dramatic taste...
As other review says, Fleming´s Violetta is a little ´too nice´ from the beginning. Which makes not dramatic enough to her change of later. Maybe I am wrong. But, I am sure her personality could expand more in this opera.
I have somewhat feel Mr. Villazon is not on his best. After reading other reviews, I understood he had crisis on his voice. I am sure as now 2010, he is doing just fine :)
Ok, As I am a instrumentalist. I have to give some small talk about the orchestra. First, they played very careful. Almost too timid in my taste. It feels like they been warned a fine of 5$ for any wrong notes. Just joking ;) But, seriously, if you compare the same opera with Wiener Philharmoniker with Anna Netrebko, just listen the beginning of the overture, you probably will feel a lot of different in a sense of drama. Well, some people played very carefully, some are more like to take risk if the music is needed to do so.
The sets on stage are ´de luxy´! cloths must be expensive. sure those divas enjoyed :)
The fist act was not as good as the last one. Maybe they were not quite in mood? The chorus at the first act was not quite syn-with-orchestra.
I am secretly thinking the LA Opera are less famous than the MET opera. Because the orchestra is slightly under developed than Met opera orchestra. Maybe LA pays less than MET? I guess so.
It is very nice to see Maestro invited the orchestra came up on stage. It is very rare thing to do in opera or ballet. Most musician are doomed in pit for life and never get up on stage. Thanks Maestro. you don´t have to do that, but it is nice.
I would recommend others to compare the 2005ish version of this opera by Anna Netrebko, Villazon, with Wiener Philharmoniker. to see if you like it. There are huge difference between those to production.. And summed up by saying I guess it is good, maybe not the best. Currently Verdi - La Traviata has an overall rating of 8 over 10.
Verdi - La Traviata can also be found in the following searches:
Decca claimed Opera superstars Renée Fleming and Rolando Villazón star in the sumptuous 2006 Los Angeles production of Verdi´s tragic masterpiece, La Traviata. This performance was the highlight of James Conlon´s much-anticipated inaugural season as the music director of Los Angeles Opera, a post that followed his impressive tenure at the Paris National Opera. The lavish production was filmed in Hi-Definition Widescreen to capture all of the excitement and drama on stage. Veteran Verdi baritone Renato Bruson rounds out this dynamic ensemble. Renée Fleming´s heart-breaking portrayal of Violetta, as captured on this extraordinary DVD, has earned her rave reviews from press and Rolando Villazón returns to the role that made him an international powerhouse after his critically-acclaimed, soldout performances at the 2005 Salzburg Festival.
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