What opera have you been listening to, lately?

[Soave_Fanciulla]

On Anzac Day (remembrance day):

[Soave_Fanciulla]

Which one is the real Henry VIII?

[Nervous Gentleman]

[Schigolch]

[Jephtha]

[Schigolch]

[Jephtha]

[Schigolch]

[Nervous Gentleman]

[Soave_Fanciulla]

I've just finished watching La Traviata with Ileana Cotrubas, Placidone and Cornell McNeill from the Met, 1981, on YouTube here. My, oh my, what an overwhelming emotional experience, even in fuzzy definition. I always thought Cotrubas was the most convincing Violetta on CD, and it turns out she is on video too, she can act as well as sing gorgeously, except it looks more like being than acting.. You just feel every emotion that Violetta is experiencing. Add to that Placidone at his most drop dead gorgeous and you've got a winner. And guess what, it's not on DVD. Whyyyyy?

[Luiz Gazzola (Almaviva)]

I've just finished watching La Traviata with Ileana Cotrubas, Placidone and Cornell McNeill from the Met, 1981, on YouTube here. My, oh my, what an overwhelming emotional experience, even in fuzzy definition. I always thought Cotrubas was the most convincing Violetta on CD, and it turns out she is on video too, she can act as well as sing gorgeously, except it looks more like being than acting.. You just feel every emotion that Violetta is experiencing. Add to that Placidone at his most drop dead gorgeous and you've got a winner. And guess what, it's not on DVD. Whyyyyy?

I much, much prefer that Russian woman in a red dress.

[Soave_Fanciulla]

The thing is that Anna is Anna singing and acting Violetta. Cotrubas IS Violetta.

But then I wasn't distracted by assets.

[Hoffmann]

I've just finished watching La Traviata with Ileana Cotrubas, Placidone and Cornell McNeill from the Met, 1981, on YouTube here. My, oh my, what an overwhelming emotional experience, even in fuzzy definition. I always thought Cotrubas was the most convincing Violetta on CD, and it turns out she is on video too, she can act as well as sing gorgeously, except it looks more like being than acting.. You just feel every emotion that Violetta is experiencing. Add to that Placidone at his most drop dead gorgeous and you've got a winner. And guess what, it's not on DVD. Whyyyyy?

You're right! This was the go to recording of La Traviata in the late 70s and was one of the most thrilling releases of the era. I had forgotten all about it as I sold about half of my LP collection when my turntable broke down years ago and there wasn't anyone to be found to fix the thing. I didn't realize that it had been filmed/taped, and will do the Youtube video this afternoon. Thanks for the reference.

[Dark_Angel]

1953 studio Callas Traviata, this was originally recorded for Cetra label just before EMI contract signed by Callas. Pristine Audio remaster works thier amazing audio magic as usual, another prize in my Callas collection, don't even ask how much it costs

This Violetta has some serious bling......

[Luiz Gazzola (Almaviva)]

The thing is that Anna is Anna singing and acting Violetta. Cotrubas IS Violetta.

But then I wasn't distracted by assets.

The assets don't distract me, au contraire, I get *very* focused on the assets!

Now, seriously, I actually do think that Anna's acting is better than Cotrubas' - but I know I'm biased.