Verdi - La Traviata / Sutherland, Pavarotti, Manuguerra, NPO, Bonynge

I had my doubts over this recording at first as the first act just seemed a Sutherland/Pavarotti showcase - both given free reign to show their stuff. You cannot deny the trumpet-like sheen of Pavarotti in his prime and in an ideal Verdi role. His 'O mio Rimorso' is tremedous - a thinly disguised Di Quella Pira. I was never a huge Sutherland fan but her diction here is better than her first Traviata from the 60s - her voice held exceptionally well. Her acting too is greatly improved - the spoke lines before Violetta's death are heart-rending. Manuguerra is the big hit here - he had a hefty, full-blooded voice but he vocally dances through his first delicate exchanges with Violetta in Act 2. He is the gentle persuader, but when needs be has the vocal force to convince. His 'Di Provenza' is one of the finest renditions I've heard. It's a great pity his Rigoletto was never recorded (his Nabucco and Scarpia are tremendous).Bonynge was an excellent conductor and he brings out all the textures in the score with the National Phil. There are no cuts to the score (as with Sutherland's first Traviata - the first to do so) The clarinet during Violetta's letter writing stayed with me - dramatic and beautifully sustained. I had some minor gripes - Oliver's thin-voiced Gastone - but it's an excellent recording and worth a listen. Just shy of 5 stars.

Wow, this opera CD set has to be one of the top recommendations. Sutherland is so impressive and vocally agile. Her high notes are stratospheric and she is at the top of her game here. Her pronunciation is much better here than in the 1960s studio recording. Pavarotti is glorious too and Manuguerra makes a beautifully toned Germont.This is now my desert Island La Traviata.

This c.d. has been in my possession for years. I purchased this for a friend who just saw a production donein our city. It was recommended to me as a classical opera and it's magnificent. The best part is that there aretranslations in English, French, German for the Italian challenged.

Perfect!!!!

These are two stupendous singers, the like of which we will not see again. A wonderfully engineered recording of one of Verdi's best works.

A great partnership and great voices all round - pure and unstrained. I shall be listening to this often.

disappointing diaogue

fab