Track Listing

Disc 1:

1. Prelude - The National Philharmonic Orchestra, Richard Bonynge
2. "Dell'invito trascorsa è già l'ora" - Joan Sutherland, Della Jones, John Tomlinson, Alexander Oliver, Luciano Pavarotti, Jonathan Summers, The London Opera Chorus, The National Philharmonic Orchestra, Richard Bonynge
3. "Libiamo ne'lieti calici (Brindisi) - Luciano Pavarotti, Joan Sutherland, The London Opera Chorus, The National Philharmonic Orchestra, Richard Bonynge
4. "Che è ciò?" - Joan Sutherland, Luciano Pavarotti, The London Opera Chorus, The National Philharmonic Orchestra, Richard Bonynge
5. "Un dì felice, eterea...Si ridesta in ciel l'aurora" - Luciano Pavarotti, Joan Sutherland, Alexander Oliver, The London Opera Chorus, The National Philharmonic Orchestra, Richard Bonynge
6. "E strano!" - "Ah, fors'è lui" - Joan Sutherland, The National Philharmonic Orchestra, Richard Bonynge
7. "Follie! Delirio vano è questo!" - "Sempre libera" - Joan Sutherland, Luciano Pavarotti, The National Philharmonic Orchestra, Richard Bonynge
8. "Lunge da lei" - Luciano Pavarotti, The National Philharmonic Orchestra, Richard Bonynge
9. "De' miei bollenti spiriti...Annina, donde vieni? - Luciano Pavarotti, Marjon Lambriks, The National Philharmonic Orchestra, Richard Bonynge
10. "O mio rimorso!...Alfredo? - Luciano Pavarotti, Joan Sutherland, Marjon Lambriks, Ubaldo Gardini, Matteo Manuguerra, The National Philharmonic Orchestra, Richard Bonynge
11. "Pura, siccome un angelo...Un dì, quando le veneri" - Matteo Manuguerra, Joan Sutherland, The National Philharmonic Orchestra, Richard Bonynge
12. "Dite alla giovine...Non amarlo ditegli" - Joan Sutherland, Matteo Manuguerra, The National Philharmonic Orchestra, Richard Bonynge
13. "Dammi tu forza, o ciel!...Ah, vive sol quel core" - Joan Sutherland, Marjon Lambriks, Luciano Pavarotti, Ubaldo Gardini, William Elvin, Matteo Manuguerra, The National Philharmonic Orchestra, Richard Bonynge
14. "Di Provenza il mar...Né risponde d'un padre..." - Matteo Manuguerra, Luciano Pavarotti, The National Philharmonic Orchestra, Richard Bonynge
15. "No, non udrai rimproveri" - Matteo Manuguerra, Luciano Pavarotti, The National Philharmonic Orchestra, Richard Bonynge

Disc 2:

1. "Avrem lieta di maschere la notte...Di Madridi" - The London Opera Chorus, The National Philharmonic Orchestra, Richard Bonynge
2. "Alfredo! Voi!...Or tutti a me...Ogni suo aver" - Luciano Pavarotti, Della Jones, Joan Sutherland, Jonathan Summers, Alexander Oliver, David Wilson-Johnson, The London Opera Chorus, The National Philharmonic Orchestra, Richard Bonynge
3. "Di sprezzo degno...Alfredo, Alfredo, di questo core" - Matteo Manuguerra, Luciano Pavarotti, Della Jones, Alexander Oliver, Giorgio Tadeo, John Tomlinson, Jonathan Summers, Joan Sutherland, The London Opera Chorus, The National Philharmonic Orchestra, Richard Bonynge
4. Prelude. "Annina? Comandate? - Joan Sutherland, Marjon Lambriks, Giorgio Tadeo, The National Philharmonic Orchestra, Richard Bonynge
5. "Tenesta la promessa" - "Attendo, né a me giungon mai" - "Addio del passato" - Joan Sutherland, The National Philharmonic Orchestra, Richard Bonynge
6. "Largo a quadrupede" - The London Opera Chorus, The National Philharmonic Orchestra, Richard Bonynge
7. "Signora..." "Che t'accade?" - Marjon Lambriks, Joan Sutherland, Luciano Pavarotti, The National Philharmonic Orchestra, Richard Bonynge
8. Parigi, o cara...Ah! Gran Dio! - Luciano Pavarotti, Joan Sutherland, The National Philharmonic Orchestra, Richard Bonynge
9. Ah, Violetta!...Se una pudica vergine - Matteo Manuguerra, Joan Sutherland, Luciano Pavarotti, Marjon Lambriks, Giorgio Tadeo, The National Philharmonic Orchestra, Richard Bonynge

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #35848 in Music
• Released on: 1991-03-05
• Number of discs: 2
• Format: Box set
• Dimensions: .69 pounds
• Running time: 133 minutes

Customer Reviews

Raise your joyous chalices to Dame Joan Sutherland
Joan Sutherland has often been critiscised as "swalloing her vowel sounds and slurring her consonants". Whilst she does seemingly do this, her diction is not nearly as bad as some people make it out to be. Diction aside, her singing, espeically in this recording of "La Traviata" is fautless, each not is hit with ear splitting precision, however not only is this recording (especially Sempre Libera) a superb showcase for the human voice, embodied by both stars, but it is also a perfect example of the amazing results produced by a conductor attentive not only to the score but to the differing stlyes of the singers. Perhaps being married to the star is an unfair advantage, but the result justifies this!

When listening to this recording I am contiunally in awe of Dame Joan Sutherland, her voice is/was on a completely different level to the leading sopranos of today, elegant, refined, yet keenly aware of the dramatic merit of what is being sung without over emphasis. It is widely acknowledged that nobody can ever hope to reach the levels of recognition set by Maria Callas, yet Joan Sutherland - recognised by Callas as a superb singer, is a very close second.

In my opinion, having listened to other recordings of "La Traviata" this is the definitive, better than Sutherland's earlier, yet perfectly admirable recording, and better than Angela Gheorghiu's attempt at the role. Gheorghiu's "Sempre Libera" is overdone, and vocally uncontrolled - whilst this conveys the emotion the peice is difficult to listen to. In the recorded form of any musical dramatic work a healthy balance between emotion and elegance must be struck, this balance is perfectly hit by Joan Sutherland and Luciano Pavarotti.

Dominic Mattos

Fantastic
If you are looking for a purely musical Traviata, then this is the one to go for. It captures Sutherland, Pavarotti and Manuguerra in exciting form. Of course, no one makes any attempt at conveying the drama, but that is part of the fun. A bargain at Amazon's price, well recorded, superbly sung, and with an extensive essay and a libretto with full translations.

The Best
Being something of a Traviata-holic I can only say that in my opinion this is the very best, the definitive "La Traviata". The main attraction is of course a young but exciting Pavarotti. His singing is breathtaking and spell binding. Not only does he make the hairs on your neck stand up, he reduced me to shivers of pleasure. What I also got and didn't expect is the sheer joy and beauty of Joan Sutherland's haunting voice. This recording is so stunning that I can only take it in small doses. It moves me to tears.