Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901)
La Traviata - opera in three acts (1853)
Violetta Valéry, a courtesan – Natalie Dessay (soprano); Flora, her friend
– Silvia de la Muela (mezzo); Annina, her maid – Adelina Scrabelli (soprano);
Alfredo Germont, an ardent admirer – Charles Castronovo (tenor); Giorgio Germont,
his father – Ludovic Tézier (baritone); Gastone, Visconte de Letoirieres –
Manuel Nunez Camelino (tenor); Doctor Grenvil - Mario Lo Poccalo (bass); Baron
Duphol, an admirer of Violetta – Kostas Smoriginas (baritone)
Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir
London Symphony Orchestra/Louis Langrée
rec. live, Théâtre de l‘Archevêché, Aix-en-Provence Festival, July 2011
Sound: PCM Stereo, dts-HD 5.1 Surround
Picture: 16:9/NTSC
Region: 0 (worldwide)
Subtitles: Italian (original language), English, German, French, Spanish
VIRGIN CLASSICS DVD 730798 9 [139:00]
I first came across La Traviata as a teenager sitting in the pit
orchestra for an amateur production in Leicestershire. The tuneful, dramatic
music and touching story immediately made a huge impact. It actually converted
me to opera and because of this La Traviata has always been very
special to me. This DVD captures a performance of a new production by the
French director Jean-François Sivadier and very good it is too. It was staged
in the open air in Aix-en-Provence and the excitement of the occasion is palpable.
It’s dominated by the Violetta of Natalie Dessay and the Alfredo of American
tenor Charles Castronovo. They are complemented by the excellent French baritone
Ludovic Tézier as Giorgio Germont and a vivacious supporting cast. From the
offset, the diminutive Dessay sets the tone. Her Violetta is a lively, attractive,
modern young woman living life to the full. Very early on it’s also pretty
clear that all is not what it seems and she doesn’t have long to live. The
chemistry between her and Alfredo is obvious from their first meeting - the
smiles and sideways glances at each other are well captured by the cameras.
Violetta’s confused state of mind, caused by her meeting with Alfredo, is
wonderfully done both dramatically and musically. As a couple they are believable
and likeable. Because of this the viewing audience is immediately concerned
about the outcome of their relationship. You become increasingly drawn into
the action. Credit for this level of believability and realism must also be
given to the director Jean-François Sivadier.
The production uses modern dress and the stage itself is uncluttered with
minimal scenery. It works really well. The minimalist approach actually concentrates
the mind on the unfolding drama. The drama itself is wonderfully managed and
there are many little details that bring the whole thing to life. One example
is the Act 1 Brindisi, where one of the cast actually stage directs
Alfredo. This also occurs in other parts of the opera as it unfolds. The cast
are also their own stage hands, moving chairs around the stage and unfurling
the back-drops. It’s very refreshing.
Now to Violetta. What a performance this is! Her decline from vivacious party
animal to sickly dying woman is quite shocking. During the Prelude to Act
III she slowly removes her wig and all of a sudden the reality of her situation
is brought home with harrowing, devastating effect. If her final duet with
Alfredo doesn’t bring a tear to your eye then you must have a heart of stone.
As a dramatic portrayal, Dessay’s performance is outstanding. Musically it’s
just as good. She owns the stage - Oh dear, I’ve become an X Factor judge!
This is a star in action, of that there can be little doubt. It takes two
to tango to bring this opera fully to life and Castronovo turns in a great
performance alongside her. The orchestral contribution by the LSO conducted
by Louis Langrée is top class. The sound quality is good rather than excellent.
There is some manipulation of the balance with intimate moments being boosted
and the louder sections cut back. The audience is quiet and there is some
ambient background noise - don’t forget that it was staged outdoors - but
it’s not very noticeable. Visually the DVD production is clean, fresh and
involving. Close action is well caught but it’s not all in your face. There
are plenty of wide shots to give a complete overview of the stage when appropriate.
This is a superb production and well worth seeking out.
John Whitmore
Natalie Dessay dominates the stage. A superb production. Well worth seeking
out.
see also review by Robert Farr