Verdi: La Traviata [Blu-ray] [2009] [US Import]

Back in the days of vinyl records I could always rely on the quality of Deutsche Grammophon records to deliver a quality of sound which was generally better and less prone to the hiss and crackle which pervaded most records. This hallmark of quality seems to have transferred to their range of Blu-ray recordings - The Berlin Concert, Manon, Le Nozze di Figaro, Romeo et Juliette and La Traviata being obvious examples. All these dvd's share exemplary audio and visual quality as well as a decent menu system that actual delivers what most customers want! This latter feature is often taken for granted but I have found numerous examples of unfriendly menu's - as for example on the very recent 25th Anniversary Concert of Les Miserable!

But high fidelity and video quality are not the only things to look for when choosing which Traviata to buy. Potential purchasers of this version can be reassured by the fact that tickets for this performance at the 2005 Salzburg Festival were oversubscribed 8 fold and that black market tickets reached record prices. Everyone wanted to see the `dream couple' perform in this innovative new production.

Traditionalists should probably look elsewhere because you are likely to be disappointed with this version. The set is minimalist in the extreme with 4 bland sofas and a large clock being the sole items of furniture. However, for me this approach worked and it does concentrate your attention on the things that really matter - the singing and the acting.

Both lead singers are on magnificent form and Netrebko's velvety pure tone has rarely sounded better. The lead singers are all convincing actors and in this performance greater emphasis is placed on the pure joy of Violetta and Alfredo's initial relationship. Here there are parallels with the second act of Manon when the lovers (Netrebko and Villazon) are obviously besotted by each other. The utter joy of their love makes the subsequent enforced separation even more tragic than that portrayed in many other productions.

The director also abandons the normal breaks between the two scenes in Act 2 and between Acts 2 and 3. This works reasonably well because of the minimalistic set. However, in the final Act Violetta instructs her maid, Annina, to give her small amount of money to the poor but this flew in the face of the fact that Alfredo's winnings were still scattered with profusion across the centre of the stage. I was also a tad concerned that Violetta was pronounced to be dead while she was technically still in a standing position - a little premature, I thought!

Ok - these are very small, mild criticisms which did not detract from my enjoyment of the opera. I thought that the symbolism of the large clock was a valid reminder that Violetta was living on borrowed time. The almost continual presence of the doctor (or was he `death') was also quite apt.

But most of all you will wish to own this dvd for the wonderful singing and acting of the `dream couple'. The disc comes with a couple of extra's including a very generous 43 minute view `Behind the Scenes'. It is a shame that this is not in high definition but you cannot have everything you want in life! Overall this disc is highly recommended, especially in the Blu-ray version.

Unlike Tristan or Aida, La Traviata should work well enough 'out of period'. In fact I find the rococo trappings of most period set versions rather distracting. This staging however is devoid of any charm or wit that should be present in a world-class production of a Verdi opera.

Villazon and Netrebko are good actors and they manage to illuminate Alfredo and Valery from original angles but in doing so they attack the roles with emotion as if they were from Puccini. The Verdian grace has been sucked out and replaced with minimalist-verismo-existentialist rep hack. For what it's worth, the camera and editing work is better than most, and therefore wasted.

Rizzi and the orchestra sound good enough. Villazon sings excellently throughout but Netrebko is inconsistent and doesn't give us the time-stopping performance she is capable of today. Dangling upside-down on an elevated sofa probably doesn't help.

One for the completists. If this is your first La Traviata do look elsewhere (Moffo or Gheorghiu).

A Beautiful production, this salzburg 2005 recording of La Traviata is a sensation. Your emotions will be riding high throughout this performance. Netrebko as Violetta and Villazon as Alfredo really do look good together, both are superb actors but most importantly their singing is a dream to listen to. the modern day setting is very colourful and thought provocking especially the massive clock that shows Violetta's time ticking away, very symbolic! Bonus DVD is very enjoyable and imformative, it really shows that Rolando and Anna have good fun interacting together. I can't wait for their next Opera together.