Violetta - Arias and Duets from Verdi's La Traviata [Includes DVD]

1	La Traviata, opera: Act 1
2	La Traviata, opera: Act 1
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6	La Traviata, opera: Act 2
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18	La Traviata, opera: Act 3
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Violetta - Arias and Duets from Verdi's La Traviata [Includes DVD]
1.	La Traviata, opera 1:19:36
	Composed by Giuseppe Verdi
	Performed by Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, Paul Gay, Thomas Hampson, Rupert Huber, Konzertvereinigung Wiener Staatsopernchor, Luigi Roni, Helene Schneiderman, Anna Netrebko, Rolando Villazón, Salvatore Cordella, Herman Wallén and Diane Pilcher
	Conducted by Carlo Rizzi

Barnes & Noble

Some opera lovers may have hesitated to add another complete La Traviata to their collections when Anna Netrebko and Rolando Villazón released their highly praised Salzburg Festival performance in 2005. But this album of highlights from the same production should prove harder to resist. Not that Traviata has any filler that needs to be cut, but here the charismatic young stars can be heard in their finest, most expressive moments. Nearly two-thirds of the opera is squeezed onto a single disc, with most of the famous scenes and arias in place and Act III nearly complete. Since Netrebko and Villazón are the selling points, a few of the usual highlights are omitted -- such as the baritone aria "Di Provenza il mar" and the orchestral preludes -- but still, the opera's narrative comes across as clearly as the glory of the singing. And best of all, a bonus DVD featuring excerpts from Act I reveals the smoldering intensity these singers brought to their acting as well as their singing. (Also included is an entertainingly campy MTV-style feature of Netrebko singing Mozart.) It's rare for a highlights disc to recommend itself over a complete opera recording, but this release is not only an excellent introduction to La Traviata for newcomers; it's also an ideal supplement for seasoned listeners eager to hear these young stars taking on roles they're sure to be identified with for many years to come. Scott Paulin

Entertainment Weekly

[Netrebko's] voice is firepowered enough -- especially in killer sections, like the end of the famous ''Sempre Libera'' -- to blast its way into the part of your brain that thought it didn't like opera. [Grade: B+] Gregory Kirschling

Detroit News

At every moment, Netrebko displays a voice of agility, accuracy, warmth, brilliance and power. It is touching and authoritative singing. Lawrence Johnson