Japanese remastered 2 x Hybrid SACD pressing. Warner. 2014. When people mention the opera La Traviata, this recording usually comes up first in the opera connoisseur's list of Traviatas for sound, quality, and cast. Violetta, being Maria Callas' favorite role after Norma, allows her to explore the intricacies of her voice along with her dramatic prowess on stage. Although you can listen to the great La Scala Traviata of 1955 (inarguably the year of her prime), this Traviata has a lot to offer which that Traviata won't. First of all, this recording boasts excellent sound, something which you can't get from the recordings of that period. Second, the cast here is stronger than that of the first recording. While Giuseppe di Stefano and Ettore Bastianini were great partners, and Giulini was a great Verdian conductor, Ghione was great it in his own respect. Plus, the sound is infinitely better. You can hear every detail of Maria's Violetta in this recording. Alfredo Kraus is a more graceful Alfredo, and I believe Mario Sereni as Giorgio Germont is amazing as well. Alfredo's voice is more ideal for the role of... Alfredo! Callas' feel for the role has also developed, and I think she gives a much better performance here than she did in La Scala, the lighter quality of her voice favored for Violetta's condition as a moribundo. And, Maria follows everything in the score while giving this a lot of dramatic truth. Maria can do a triple piano, something only VERY VERY FEW sopranos can do. She truly is the Violetta of this century. Maria Callas Primary Artist, Vocals Piero Campolonghi Vocals Gilberto Cerda Vocals Giuseppe di Stefano Vocals Umberto Mugnai Conductor Bill Parker Liner Notes Edna Patoni Vocals Ignacio Ruffino Vocals Francesco Tortolero Vocals Cristina Trevi Vocals.
