Verdi - La Traviata / Bonfadelli, Piper, Bruson, Ricci, Peebo, Leveroni, Domingo, Busseto

Rating:
Summary: Otra Traviata de calidad en el mercado del dvd.
Review: Estamos ante una representacion celebarda en el 2001, en un pequeño teatro de Busetto, con motivo del año Verdi. En un escenario realmente pequeño (muy pequeño) FRANCO ZEFIRELLI plantea un montaje inteligente, que recuerda en varios aspectos al filme de 1982 de la misma opera que el mismo firmo. Comienza la obertura con una moribunda Violetta deambulando por el salon de su casa, para perderse en un espejo giratorio que hay al fondo de la escena (espejo onmipresente que lo mismo valdra para mostrar salas contiguas, jardines, la calle... o para encerrar en primer plano a Violetta en el concertante del acto II) La historia plantea los dos primeros actos como recuerdos de una Violetta ya apagada, que reaparece en las mismas estancias oscuras en que se incia la ópera en el acto III. Muy conseguida la escenografia, pero la aparicion de las gitanas en el acto III (bailaores y castañuelas inclusive) roza lo kitsch.
Como Violetta, STEFANIA BONFADELLI hace una sobresaliente creacion, tanto por voz (sabe adaptarse a la perfección a las ligerezas del acto I y a las partes más liricas de los dos actos siguientes) como por fisico (mujer de extraña belleza en los dos primeros actos, y palida y cadaverica en el tercero, pero manteniendo en parte esa extraña belleza) En fin, una Violetta de gran calidad.
El Alfredo de SCOTT PIPER es escenicamente acertado, pero vocalmente solo correcto, pasando apuros en 'O mio rimorso' (renuncia al agudo final) tras haber cantado bastante bien 'De miei bolenti spiriti'.
Sienta catedra como 'Papa Germont' RENATO BRUSON, por voz (de extraordinaria calidad pese a su avanzada edad, como demostro el mes pasado en Madrid) y por presencia escenica (tremenda autoridad en el duo con la soprano, pero luego se derrumba ante el rechazo de Alfredo, y en la bronca que le arma en la fiesta de Flora le basta con una mirada...) Sobresaliente. Cumplen los secundarios (muy bien Flora y Aninna, bien los demas) y suficiente el coro. La orquesta suena bien, y la direccion musical de PLÁCIDO DOMINGO peca a veces de alargar las pausas y acortar los finales de frase, pero solo a veces.
El dvd incluye casi 70' de material extra (entrevistas, documentales etc), lo que en mi opinion redondea una muy interesante Traviata

Rating:
Summary: Otra Traviata de calidad en el mercado del dvd.
Review: Estamos ante una representacion celebarda en el 2001, en un pequeño teatro de Busetto, con motivo del año Verdi. En un escenario realmente pequeño (muy pequeño) FRANCO ZEFIRELLI plantea un montaje inteligente, que recuerda en varios aspectos al filme de 1982 de la misma opera que el mismo firmo. Comienza la obertura con una moribunda Violetta deambulando por el salon de su casa, para perderse en un espejo giratorio que hay al fondo de la escena (espejo onmipresente que lo mismo valdra para mostrar salas contiguas, jardines, la calle... o para encerrar en primer plano a Violetta en el concertante del acto II) La historia plantea los dos primeros actos como recuerdos de una Violetta ya apagada, que reaparece en las mismas estancias oscuras en que se incia la ópera en el acto III. Muy conseguida la escenografia, pero la aparicion de las gitanas en el acto III (bailaores y castañuelas inclusive) roza lo kitsch.
Como Violetta, STEFANIA BONFADELLI hace una sobresaliente creacion, tanto por voz (sabe adaptarse a la perfección a las ligerezas del acto I y a las partes más liricas de los dos actos siguientes) como por fisico (mujer de extraña belleza en los dos primeros actos, y palida y cadaverica en el tercero, pero manteniendo en parte esa extraña belleza) En fin, una Violetta de gran calidad.
El Alfredo de SCOTT PIPER es escenicamente acertado, pero vocalmente solo correcto, pasando apuros en 'O mio rimorso' (renuncia al agudo final) tras haber cantado bastante bien 'De miei bolenti spiriti'.
Sienta catedra como 'Papa Germont' RENATO BRUSON, por voz (de extraordinaria calidad pese a su avanzada edad, como demostro el mes pasado en Madrid) y por presencia escenica (tremenda autoridad en el duo con la soprano, pero luego se derrumba ante el rechazo de Alfredo, y en la bronca que le arma en la fiesta de Flora le basta con una mirada...) Sobresaliente. Cumplen los secundarios (muy bien Flora y Aninna, bien los demas) y suficiente el coro. La orquesta suena bien, y la direccion musical de PLÁCIDO DOMINGO peca a veces de alargar las pausas y acortar los finales de frase, pero solo a veces.
El dvd incluye casi 70' de material extra (entrevistas, documentales etc), lo que en mi opinion redondea una muy interesante Traviata

Rating:
Summary: A Captivating Performance.
Review: I have heard and seen La Traviata many, many times, but there are two memorable Violettas. By memorable, I mean that vocal skill and acting ability combined to produce a performance that was spellbinding. The first was seeing a young Catherine Malfitano with the Michigan Opera Company. From the first few moments of the party scene to the end of the performance, She WAS the consumptive courtesan who discovered love. The second is Stefania Bonfadelli in this DVD. Because this is an intimate production, with great closeup shots, any flaws in acting would be instantly obvious, but there are none: she is one with her part. Vocally, she may be slightly less gifted than Anna Moffo, Kiri Te Kanawa or Montserrat Caballe, but she is a young woman whose vocal skills should increase. Still, though, she produces a beautifully realized Violetta, that has captivated me, and which has to be experienced to be totally understood. Words can convey only so much.

Scott Piper is great as the young Alfredo. Although he sounds a bit "tight" in the first act, by the time he sings "De' miei bollenti spiriti", he is not only in fine voice, but epidomizes a young man in love. His acting skills are excellent. Both he and Ms. Bonfadelli are young singers and thus bring a high level of believeability to their roles. His father, Georgio Germont, is sung by veteran Verdian Renato Bruson. Time has treated his voice well, and he does an excellent job in capturing the 19th century pater familias; The second act duet with Violetta is simply splendid!

The performance, as noted, is intimate. This is, in large part, due to the fact that it was done in the tiny Teatro Giuseppi Verdi, located in the composer's home town of Busetto. The theatre seats 300 (no typo) and has a stage that is just ten meters deep (TDK recorded "Aida" (q.v.) there, producing an exciting DVD of that great work). The conductor is non other than Placido Domingo, who does a stellar job in keeping a brisk, yet unrushed, tempo. The orchestra, chorus and all minor roles are very well done.

Some minor criticisms do not diminish the wonderful performance: someone should have edited the English subtitles. I have noticed this on other TDK operatic releases, and Amazon should reflect that this IS a TDK release, not one from Naxos. TDK is releasing some great operas on DVD, folks, and at prices that are less than CDs. Those folks deserve the credit for this one!

Finally, I reiterate that opera on DVD is next best to a live performance. Technically (aside from the needed editing) this disc is near perfect. The picture is crisp, and a DTS option exists for the sound for those who want to break a lease or educate the neighbors.

La Traviata is one of the great Verdi operas. It is highly melodic and would be a good entry level opera for folks who are wondering what the fuss is all about. For any lover of Verdi's works, this is a "must have" disc.

Rating:
Summary: Don't waste your money.....
Review: I purchased this DVD because of the excellent average review it had. After watching it, I am a bit confused. It is not HALF the production I thought it would be. Zefferelli, of course, creates a fantastic set and the lighting is adequate. It's the 2 leads I have a problem with (and Alfredo's father, as well). Stefania Bonfadelli is a competent actress. Her singing, however, is another matter. It is labored and her technique is unsteady.
Her coloratura is laughable. I would compare it to Stratas' coloratura in her Zefferelli production. I love Stratas, but you either have an easy, quick vocal run or you don't (or you work your ass off to get one). Plus, Bonfadelli's vocal color was disturbing, as well. Just not pretty, to my ears. Scott Piper was raw as Alfredo. He has a very pleasing voice, but his approach to the top is wide open and his top is not quite secure. It's a light sound and I'm not sure why they're billing him as the next lirico-spinto. He sounds light and lyric to me. Renato Bruson was an excellent actor, but he has acquired what my conservatory friends call "old man vibrato" on top. When he sang his high notes, his vibrato became truck-wide and offensive to my ears. I was stunned at his 5-minute ovation for his Act II aria.
If you're looking for a fantasticly acted and beautifully sung Traviata (as well as being visually stunning), look no further than Solti's version with Lopardo and Gheurgieu (don't know how to spell that one). The acting will bring you to tears, the conducting is tight, and the 2 leads' voices will knock you out. The Stratas/Domingo filmed version is a close second. Don't buy this new version unless you have 2 or 3 other good ones and are looking for something new.

Rating:
Summary: Don't waste your money.....
Review: I purchased this DVD because of the excellent average review it had. After watching it, I am a bit confused. It is not HALF the production I thought it would be. Zefferelli, of course, creates a fantastic set and the lighting is adequate. It's the 2 leads I have a problem with (and Alfredo's father, as well). Stefania Bonfadelli is a competent actress. Her singing, however, is another matter. It is labored and her technique is unsteady.
Her coloratura is laughable. I would compare it to Stratas' coloratura in her Zefferelli production. I love Stratas, but you either have an easy, quick vocal run or you don't (or you work your ass off to get one). Plus, Bonfadelli's vocal color was disturbing, as well. Just not pretty, to my ears. Scott Piper was raw as Alfredo. He has a very pleasing voice, but his approach to the top is wide open and his top is not quite secure. It's a light sound and I'm not sure why they're billing him as the next lirico-spinto. He sounds light and lyric to me. Renato Bruson was an excellent actor, but he has acquired what my conservatory friends call "old man vibrato" on top. When he sang his high notes, his vibrato became truck-wide and offensive to my ears. I was stunned at his 5-minute ovation for his Act II aria.
If you're looking for a fantasticly acted and beautifully sung Traviata (as well as being visually stunning), look no further than Solti's version with Lopardo and Gheurgieu (don't know how to spell that one). The acting will bring you to tears, the conducting is tight, and the 2 leads' voices will knock you out. The Stratas/Domingo filmed version is a close second. Don't buy this new version unless you have 2 or 3 other good ones and are looking for something new.

Rating:
Summary: Simply beautiful!!
Review: There are only a few DVDs of Traviata and I own this one and Solti/Gheorghiu version at Covent Garden. In short, they are both 'to die for'. In my opinion, DVDs are the next best thing to the San Francisco, or for that matter, any other Opera House. Bonfadelli does not sing as well as Angela but the acting is wonderful and both have their own interesting interpretations of VV. Watching Domingo conduct was also a treat albeit he is no Solti. Zefferelli's set is excellent (as always) as was the set at Covent Garden. These are absolute musts for any opera DVD collection.