La traviata

Composer: Verdi, Giuseppe

Librettist/Text Author: Piave, Francesco Maria

Conductor: Rizzi, Carlo

Orchestra: Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra

Chorus: Vienna State Opera Chorus

Chorus Master: Huber, Rupert

Alfredo Germont: Villazon, Rolando

Annina: Pilcher, Diane

Baron Douphol: Gay, Paul

Doktor Grenvil: Roni, Luigi

Flora Bervoix: Schneiderman, Helene

Gastone: Cordella, Salvatore

Giorgio Germont: Hampson, Thomas

Marquis d'Obigny: Wallen, Herman

Violetta Valery: Netrebko, Anna

Set Designer: Gussmann, Wolfgang

Costume Designer: Gussmann, Wolfgang

Costume Designer: Mendoza, Susana

Lighting Designer: Toelstede, Hans

Choreographer: Farmer, Athol

Stage Director: Decker, Willy

Television Director: Large, Brian

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Date of Production: 2005

Festival: Salzburg Festival

Venue: Grosses Festspielhaus Salzburg

Playing Time: 02:19:55

Catalogue Number: A04001440

Libretto

La traviata

Synopsis

La traviata

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Within only a few years, Anna Netrebko has become one of the most acclaimed performers of our time, whose popularity transcends by far the boundaries of classical music. With her CDs garnering phenomenal sales and her stage appearances causing worldwide box-office stampedes, Anna Netrebko is on her way to becoming the new diva assoluta.

This recording of Verdi's La Traviata from the 2005 Salzburg Festival – the uncontested and hopelessly sold-out highlight of the festival season – captures the triumphal performance not only of Anna Netrebko as Violetta Valery, but also of Rolando Villazon as her lover Alfredo. The glamorous Russian soprano and the heartthrob Mexican tenor have become the new dream team of the opera world.

The international press was unanimous in praising the singers' phenomenal range, heavenly timbre, musical finesse and powerful, charismatic stage presence. Portraying Alfredo's father is one of the leading baritones of our time, Thomas Hampson. The Austrian Broadcasting Corporation's (ORF) simultaneous telecast of the premiere scored a phenomenal 29% market share. Willy Decker's stark, elegantly stylish stage production makes Anna Netrebko the center of attention at all times. The sets and costumes are by Wolfgang Gussmann. La Traviata is conducted by Carlo Rizzi, performed by the world-renowned Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra and directed for television by Emmy Award winner Brian Large.