Best La Traviata on CD?
Arne Lofgren
Which CD recording of La Travita is best? I have one with Ileana Cotrubas,
but I think the LP recording with Renata Scotto is better, this does not seem
to be available on CD though.
Arne Lofgren
Vicent
Caballe's is the best, with Bergonzi and Milnes.
Addio
BASSOBUFFO
The first Scotto Traviata (with, I think, Raimondi and Bastianini) was
reissued within the last year or so as a DG Double - 2 discs for the price
of 1. I haven't heard it, but friends speak highly of it.
The status of the second Scotto Traviata (with Muti, Kraus, Bruson) I do
not know.
As regards the Caballe Traviata - it is beautifully sung, but I personally
find it a bit lacking in dramatic conviction. For a commercial
recording, I think my nod would still go to the Kleiber/Cortrubas/Domingo
ot the new Solti/Georghiu. Callas with DiStefano and Bastianini uner
Giulini (Scala, 1955) is still my favorite, and I think Angel has issued a
"legal" copy, but the sound is, of course, mono.
Regards,
Bassobuffo
Hans C Hoff
If the singing is of paramount importance, it is hard to go better than
the 1963 Pritchard version with Sutherland, Bergonzi and what is may be
the most gorgeous older Germont of our times, Robert Merrill.
Hans C Hoff
Emo Furfori
I'm still partial to the Sills/Angel recording but the pirate with
Alfredo Kraus from La Fenice with Ceccato conducting is really fun.
Emo
Trat Colins
Tom Moran wrote:
>
> If you're looking for a good Traviata I have a few suggestions:
>
> 1) The *dress rehearsal* for the Toscanini recording. It's better than
> the finished recording. It might take a bit of digging to find but it's
> worth it.
I just got this recording today. It is a rather interesting recording.
> 2) Either the Giulini/Callas or the "Lisbon" Traviata. If I had to
> recommend onlly one, it would be the Lisbon.
>
> 3) The digital Sutherland/Pavarotti Traviata probably wouldn't be bad for
> someone looking for a nice, safe, middle-of-the-road recording.
> Especially now that it's not on 3 CDs for $44.
>
> 4) I haven't heard the Cheryl Stuber recording, but I'd be interested in
> hearing from someone who had.
>
I have only heard a few excerpts from this recording, but my one friend
has this recording and he hates it. He wishes he had saved his money
and bought a different recording.
> I know Aprile Millo has said in print that she doesn't have the, ahem,
> attributes to be a convincing courtesan on stage, but I humbly disagree.
> I would love to see her take a shot at the part at the Met.
>
Aprile Millo as Violetta????!!!! YIKES!!! I pity the audience the day
that happens. Hell, she can hardly sing any of the other roles in her
repertoire besides take on a role that requires some real singing. I
hope that day never comes of her singing this role....
The Caballe/Bergonzi and Sutherland/Bergonzi have already been
recommended and I have to second those recommendations. They are both
great recordings. I haven't heard any Callas' recordings of her
portrayal, but I would definitely be curious to do so.
Tom Moran
If you're looking for a good Traviata I have a few suggestions:
1) The *dress rehearsal* for the Toscanini recording. It's better than
the finished recording. It might take a bit of digging to find but it's
worth it.
2) Either the Giulini/Callas or the "Lisbon" Traviata. If I had to
recommend onlly one, it would be the Lisbon.
3) The digital Sutherland/Pavarotti Traviata probably wouldn't be bad for
someone looking for a nice, safe, middle-of-the-road recording.
Especially now that it's not on 3 CDs for $44.
4) I haven't heard the Cheryl Stuber recording, but I'd be interested in
hearing from someone who had.
I know Aprile Millo has said in print that she doesn't have the, ahem,
attributes to be a convincing courtesan on stage, but I humbly disagree.
I would love to see her take a shot at the part at the Met.
Tom Moran
zabazeus
Arne Lofgren (arne.l...@mailbox.swipnet.se) wrote:
: Which CD recording of La Travita is best? I have one with Ileana Cotrubas,
I love the RCA Moffo with Tucker and Merrill. Also the early Sutherland
with Pritchard but the one with Pavarotti is fine too.
I'll probably get read to filth, but I do enjoy Kiri's -- she looks so
gorgeous in that gown!
I wish Callas had done a stereo version.. oh well
I also found a Laserlight recording for 5 bucks with Lucia Aliberti,
Peter Dvorsky and Renato Bruson, live perf. in Tokyo which I liked.
I love la Caballe but I wished somebody had dubbed in an e-flat for her
because it's essential and it should sound like an orgasm.
David
How does the sound compare between the CD issue of the dress rehearsal
for the Toscanini Traviata and the official release of the actual
broadcast on RCA? Is the sound roughly comparable?
Waymon Parker
>I'm still partial to the Sills/Angel recording but the pirate with
>Alfredo Kraus from La Fenice with Ceccato conducting is really fun.
>
>Emo
>
I must agree. The Sills Traviata is my favorite. She and Gedda both give
a musical and dramtically interesting performance. I also like the live
performance with Kraus.
-
Waymon Parker WCX...@prodigy.com
David M Pickering
Excerpts from netnews.rec.music.opera: 6-Oct-96 Re: Best La Traviata on
CD? by Tom Mo...@prodigy.com
>
> 1) The *dress rehearsal* for the Toscanini recording. It's better than
> the finished recording. It might take a bit of digging to find but it's
> worth it.
>
> 2) Either the Giulini/Callas or the "Lisbon" Traviata. If I had to
> recommend onlly one, it would be the Lisbon.
Regarding the '55 Callas/Giulini Traviata, I know this performance is
available on EMI but I would like to know if this is the best transfer
available? I ask because the Callas/DiStefano "Lucia di Lammermoor"
conducted by HvK is available on both EMI and Melodram and I've found
the Melodram transfer to be much better.
Thanks.
Dave
dp...@andrew.cmu.edu
http://www.psy.cmu.edu/~dp3u/dave.html
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Sometimes I think the surest sign that intelligent life exists
elsewhere in the universe is that none of it has tried to contact us."
--Calvin & Hobbes
Andrew Park
"faked" it :)
Andrew Park
HenryFogel
Arne Lofgren (arne.l...@mailbox.swipnet.se) wrote:
: Which CD recording of La Travita is best? I have one with Ileana
Cotrubas,
(snip)
Too complex a question for a simple answer. I would not be without one of
the live Callas Traviatas -- probably the 1958 Covent Garden performance
issued by Melodram. But it is monaural broadcast quality, and has the
occasional musical "accidents" that accompany live performances, and you
might find that the sound or the occasional glitch puts you off (or
perhaps youdon't like Callas' voice). Of studio recordings, I like RCA's
with Caballe, Bergonzi, and Milnes, despite some unidiomatic conducting
from Pretre. It is beautifully sung and convincingly acted.
Henry Fogel
Heavyweight
moffo's recording with tucker, et al is
nothing to sneeze at, btw....
c
Philipkru
In article <530kkv$3...@mn5.swip.net>, arne.l...@mailbox.swipnet.se
(Arne Lofgren) writes:
>Which CD recording of La Travita is best? I have one with Ileana
Cotrubas,
>but I think the LP recording with Renata Scotto is better, this does not
seem
>
>to be available on CD though.
>
>
Given the performances besides Violetta, I don't think you can say my
favorite is the best. But if Traviata to you is Violetta, don't miss the
Solti/Gheorghiu.
Phil Kruger
Charlotte, NC
Phil...@aol.com (Philip Kruger)
Stefan
arne.l...@mailbox.swipnet.se (Arne Lofgren) wrote:
>Which CD recording of La Travita is best? I have one with Ileana Cotrubas,
>but I think the LP recording with Renata Scotto is better, this does not seem
>to be available on CD though.
>
>
>
I am normally no friend of unyielding Muti with his band master approach
to tempo rubato but the recording from La Scala with Fabbriccini is not
bad. Where is she now ? The best Traviata since Cotrubas I would say.
But of course there are several Callas recordings that are better and
nowadays in tolerable sound.
Stefan J
Big D
In article <530kkv$3...@mn5.swip.net>, arne.l...@mailbox.swipnet.se
(Arne Lofgren) wrote:
> Which CD recording of La Travita is best? I have one with Ileana Cotrubas,
> but I think the LP recording with Renata Scotto is better, this does not seem
> to be available on CD though.
>
> Arne Lofgren
Now that's a hard one...
Muti/Scotto/Kraus for come scritto.
Giulini/Callas/diStefano for a live performance (though her Mexico City
high Eb is her best high Eb on disc).
Scotto's early recording catches her in youth and in olympic form.
Ponselle's Met Broadcast is fun for the obvious reasons.
Hope this helps--
DC
James G. Jorden
In <daaaac-0810...@nyc-ny7-09.ix.netcom.com>
daa...@ix.netcom.com (Big D) writes:
>
>In article <530kkv$3...@mn5.swip.net>, arne.l...@mailbox.swipnet.se
>(Arne Lofgren) wrote:
>
>> Which CD recording of La Travita is best? I have one with Ileana
Cotrubas,
>> but I think the LP recording with Renata Scotto is better, this does
not seem
>> to be available on CD though.
----
Caballe with Pretre on RCA is complete and very well sung. A good
all-round Traviata. The old RCA with Carteri was really revishing
though I think it's out of print. And you should own a Callas--
preferably La Scala 1955 or London 1958. I find the Lisbon Traviata
overrated though no Callas is ever dull.
PS have you noticed that none of these modern girls does Traviata?
Vaness, Studer, Battle, Fleming, Swenson--- none of them!
James ("Dr. Repertoire) Jorden
jjo...@ix.netcom.com
www.anaserve.com/~parterre
David M Pickering
Excerpts from netnews.rec.music.opera: 8-Oct-96 Re: Best La Traviata on
CD? by James G. Jor...@ix.netco
I know for a fact that Studer has recorded Traviata for DG and so has
Angela Gheorghiu for London. Of the remaining ladies mentioned, I
wouldn't mind hearing the Violetta of Fleming or Vaness and I think
Swenson could handle the coloratura of Act I well though I feel her
voice is too light for Acts II & III. If Ms. Battle never attempts
another Verdi role (other than Oscar in "Un Ballo"), I will be quite
content.
Neil A Kurtzman
Stefan <stef...@p1.sr.se> wrote:
>arne.l...@mailbox.swipnet.se (Arne Lofgren) wrote:
>>Which CD recording of La Travita is best? I have one with Ileana Cotrubas,
>>but I think the LP recording with Renata Scotto is better, this does not seem
>>to be available on CD though.
>>
>>Arne Lofgren
>>
>>
>I am normally no friend of unyielding Muti with his band master approach
>to tempo rubato but the recording from La Scala with Fabbriccini is not
>bad. Where is she now ? The best Traviata since Cotrubas I would say.
>But of course there are several Callas recordings that are better and
>nowadays in tolerable sound.
>Stefan J
The best Traviata on records I ever heard was Monteux's mid-fifties
version with Carteri, Valetti, and Warren. Her reading of the letter
is dazzling. I don't know if it's been released on CDs, but if it
hasn't been it should be.
Valentin B. Suan Jr.
James G. Jorden wrote:
>
> In <daaaac-0810...@nyc-ny7-09.ix.netcom.com>
> daa...@ix.netcom.com (Big D) writes:
> >
> >(Arne Lofgren) wrote:
> >
> >> Which CD recording of La Travita is best? I have one with Ileana
> Cotrubas,
> >> but I think the LP recording with Renata Scotto is better, this does
> not seem
> >> to be available on CD though.
>
>
> Caballe with Pretre on RCA is complete and very well sung. A good
> all-round Traviata. The old RCA with Carteri was really revishing
> though I think it's out of print. And you should own a Callas--
> preferably La Scala 1955 or London 1958. I find the Lisbon Traviata
> overrated though no Callas is ever dull.
>
> PS have you noticed that none of these modern girls does Traviata?
> Vaness, Studer, Battle, Fleming, Swenson--- none of them!
>
Studer has done Traviata with Pavarotti under the direction of James
Levine and I think it's ravishing especially the duet with Alfredo's
father sung by Juan Pons.
James G. Jorden
In <325DD7...@hiline.net> "Valentin B. Suan Jr."
<sva...@hiline.net> writes:
>
>Studer has done Traviata with Pavarotti under the direction of James
>Levine and I think it's ravishing especially the duet with Alfredo's
>father sung by Juan Pons.
When I said "none of these modern girls does Traviata" I meant on
stage. Very different from sight-reading it in a recording studio, I
think you'll agree.
Doesn't it strike you as strange, though, that this very standard role
that *every* soprano used to sing seems to scare off big stars like
Fleming, Vaness, Swenson...
SF Dakin
For me, the best VIOLETTA has to be Sills.
Since first encountering this amazing performance on LP,
I've always wondered why Sills is seldom mentioned
as a great Violetta. Even if you don't aquire the CD of the opera, try to
get a chance to hear her Addio del passato (both verses, for a change),
which could serve as a lesson in breath control, legato, and
expressiveness).
Graham R
What a question this is?
Hmmmmm - I have may recordings of Traviata and I would have to say
that unless Germont is handled by a consumate professional, given
Violetta and Alfredo are up to scratch, forget it . So much hinges
on this character in this opera with his interactions with both
Alfredo and Violetta that he forms the pivot. He has to be believed
otherwise the opera is a sham.
Now to find a recording with these three elements which sparkd of one
another - I can't got past the Callas, Albanese, Savarese perfomance
on Cetra but I am damned if you can find this on CD.
My advice would be to find a good ensemble opera (not the Met or
Covent Garden) and go and go and go. Ensemble operas are the ony ones
which seem to be able to balance the characters in this opera
:)
arne.l...@mailbox.swipnet.se (Arne Lofgren) wrote:
>Which CD recording of La Travita is best? I have one with Ileana Cotrubas,
>but I think the LP recording with Renata Scotto is better, this does not seem
>to be available on CD though.
>
>Arne Lofgren
>
>
Jay Taylor
arne.l...@mailbox.swipnet.se (Arne Lofgren) wrote:
>Which CD recording of La Travita is best? I have one with Ileana Cotrubas,
>but I think the LP recording with Renata Scotto is better, this does not seem
>to be available on CD though.
Well,I usually find that the best way to
find which version of an opera to purchase
is to ask which version NOT to purchase.
Most people will agree when it comes to that
which is AWFUL. Never ask what's best on this
newsgroup, you'll get a list that's 20 operas
long, making your efforts much more difficult
than they were in the first place.
So, being that you mention a Renata Scotto
version of "La Traviata", I'll add my recording
to the AWFUL list (not that this AWFUL version
is the Renata Scotto of 1982, not 1972):
Renata Scotto/Alfredo Kraus/ Renato Bruson/
Riccardo Muti on a EMI 2-CD set: 7 475388
Recorded: 1982
Now, do NOT misunderstand me on this: Alfredo
Kraus is wonderful as always, Muti's conducting
is as the music is written (no unnecessary
ornamentation; cutting the high notes where
one expects them to be . . . like at the end
of the Sempre Libre, etc.). Bruson as Germont
is acceptable. The AWFUL part about this recording
is RENATA SCOTTO. My Lord, she's the Queen of Shrill
. . . her coloratura facility "bites the big one"
and she basically screams every possible note! Her Violetta is so bad in
this recording that it would
take great tenacity for even a pro to listen past the Libiamo.
OK, everyone . . . let's here it for other recordings
of "La Traviata" that BITE!
Jay Taylor
Philipkru
In article <53kn10$q...@dfw-ixnews12.ix.netcom.com>,
jjo...@ix.netcom.com(James G. Jorden) writes:
>When I said "none of these modern girls does Traviata" I meant on
>stage. Very different from sight-reading it in a recording studio, I
>think you'll agree.
But Angela Gheorghiu has indeed done this role on stage, to rave reviews
at Covent Garden. I have the videotape of it and she is absoluely
splended.
Burns Magruder
<<Doesn't it strike you as strange, though, that this very standard role
that *every* soprano used to sing seems to scare off big stars like
Fleming, Vaness, Swenson...>>
It seems that Violetta, at least at the Met, has become a vehicle for
debutantes. This season we have Viktoria Loukianetz, Aïnhoa Arteta, and
the veteran Veronica Villaroel singing it. Fleming is busy with "Così" and
"Faust" and "Rusalka," Swenson with "Puritani" and "Rigoletto" and
Vaness with "Tosca." So, I don't know if it strikes me as strange. I think
Fleming and Swenson are surely shown to better advantage in the roles
they are singing than they would be in "Traviata" and Vaness doesn't seem
to have any interest in the lyric repertoire anymore.
And for the record, Studer has sung "Traviata" on stage.
Burns Magruder
bur...@mail.idt.net
Alberich
Vaness * does* Traviata - a very good, in fact positively
electrifying, performance at ROH between two Gheorghiu runs.
But the recording of her Norma in Paris worried me. She sounds in
vocally very poor state and was swooping, instead of singing the nice
precise coloratura that I heard last year.
Alberich
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/andreak/