I am a huge fan of Verdi and of La Traviata, and while not my favourite Traviata, this is still a very touching production. The sets are charming, the costumes are beautiful and the photography is excellent. Kirk Browning's direction is on the money too and the orchestra play very beautifully under the musical baton of Julius Ruedel.
The story still compels, the characters delight and the music entrances. The performances are equally as good. Henry Price is a vocally decent Alfredo but when it comes to the acting he is rather bland and probably the weakest of the cast. He does have his moments such as in Act 2, but his acting in the final scene didn't convince me. Beverly Sills though while not in her prime is stunning as Violetta, she acts touchingly, sings like an angel and she looks very beautiful too. Richard Fredericks makes for a truly excellent Germont, his Di Provenza is very musically sung and his interaction with Sills is one of the things that makes the production as touching as it is. Of the support cast, Fredda Rakusin is the standout as an energetic Flora.
Overall, touching and well performed. 8/10 Bethany Cox
The story still compels, the characters delight and the music entrances. The performances are equally as good. Henry Price is a vocally decent Alfredo but when it comes to the acting he is rather bland and probably the weakest of the cast. He does have his moments such as in Act 2, but his acting in the final scene didn't convince me. Beverly Sills though while not in her prime is stunning as Violetta, she acts touchingly, sings like an angel and she looks very beautiful too. Richard Fredericks makes for a truly excellent Germont, his Di Provenza is very musically sung and his interaction with Sills is one of the things that makes the production as touching as it is. Of the support cast, Fredda Rakusin is the standout as an energetic Flora.
Overall, touching and well performed. 8/10 Bethany Cox