Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		3.5
Audio		2.5
Extras		2.0
Overall		2.5

Giuseppe Verdi: La Traviata Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov October 24, 2008

ACT I
Violetta Valery, an ambitious courtesan, throws a lavish reception for a group of Parisian connoisseurs. Alfredo Germont, a handsome young man from a wealthy family, is amongst the guests. He is mesmerized by Violetta’s beauty and as the reception comes to an end confesses his love to her. Violetta is stunned. She tells Alfredo about her reputation and explains that a long-lasting relationship will be impossible. But after the guests depart Violetta begins to wonder whether Alfredo could be the man she loves for the rest of her life.

ACT II
Violetta and Alfredo are in the French countryside. They are in love. Alfredo is unaware that Violetta has sacrificed all of her savings so she could afford their trip. Alfredo temporarily leaves and his father, Giorgio, appears begging Violetta to walk away from his son. He stresses that because of her reputation her relationship with Alfredo will always be questioned. Giorgio also makes it clear that his family will never accept Violetta. The beautiful courtesan is heartbroken. She leaves a note for Alfredo explaining her sudden decision to part ways not mentioning Giorgio’s wish.

Violetta is back escorting affluent men. She is in a forced relationship with Baron Douphol. Alfredo appears and takes a seat at a large gaming table where Barone Douphol, Violetta, and other guests have been playing cards. Violetta attempts to discretely tell Alfredo to leave. Enraged he humiliates her in front of everyone. Barone Douphol challenges Alfredo to a duel.

ACT III
Violetta is dying. Giorgio sends a letter explaining that Alfredo has won the duel. He also reveals that his son has found the truth about Violetta’s shocking decision to leave. When Alfredo and his rueful father finally appear at Violetta’s bed she could barely breathe. Shortly after she dies in Alfredo’s hands.

Violetta and her guests

Inspired by Alexandre Dumas’ masterful La dame aux Camélias Verdi’s La Traviata premiered at Teatro la Fenice, Venice in 1853. It spurred mixed emotions amongst critics and audiences and eventually ended up being criticized as much as it was praised for its contemporary treatment of current social and cultural values. In fact, the classic version of La Traviata, the one opera houses around the words stage nowadays, was not the version that was seen in Teatro la Fenice. As requested by the censors for the premiere Verdi’s original script was seriously modified.

The Blu-ray disc I have in my hands contains a performance of La Traviata which was recorded live at Teatro alla Scala di Milano in 2007. It teams the Orchestra, Chorus, and Ballet of Teatro alla Scala di Milano with renowned musical director Lorin Maazel (New York Philharmonic) and some of today's brightest opera singers: Angela Gheorghiu (Violetta), Ramon Vargas (Alfredo), Roberto Frontali (Giorgio), Alessandro Paliaga (Barone Douphol), Natacha Petrinsky (Flora Bervoix), Tiziana Tramonti (Annina), Piero Terranova (Marchese d’Obigny), Luigi Roni (Dottor Grenvil), Giuseppe Nicodemo (Domestico di Flora), and Ernesto Panariello (Commissionario).

So, what separates this specific production of La Traviata from previous renditions?

First, it is directed by acclaimed film director Liliana Cavani (The Night Porter) whose reserved and stripped of overdramatizaion style is in synch with Verdi’s intent to introduce an opera with a distinctively contemporary address of traditional themes. Furthermore, Cavani has further downplayed the naivety, playfulness, and transparency of the main characters, thus, providing an even stronger contemporary resonance for Verdi’s masterpiece.

Second, just as Luchino Visconti once staged LaTraviata with Maria Callas (1955) creating a stunning period spectacle Liliana Cavani’s emphasis on detail is impressive. The lush decors, massive stage designs, and incredible movement of people grant La Traviata with a distinctively cinematic pulse. The dramatic scenes from acts I, II, and III do not feel episodic. They share a sense of continuity and reach their climaxes gradually.

Third, the orchestra under Maestro Maazel is in perfect synchrony with the singers (unfortunately the disappointing mixing the Blu-ray disc reveals, specifically in regard to balance, makes it very difficult to truly appreciate the many positives of this performance). Also, it must be noted that Maestro Maazel allows enough flexibility for the singers to comfortably embrace and improvise their characters and as a result the mentioned earlier faux overdramatizaion other operas with a similar to La Traviata thematic construction share is effectively avoided.

Finally, Angela Gheorghiu’s singing is terrific. Her Violetta is slightly more reserved, more emotionally mature if you will, and in tune with Liliana Cavani’s realistic vision for La Traviata. Excess, both in terms of singing and acting, is, as expected, kept to a minimum.

Giuseppe Verdi: La Traviata Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.78:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC, and granted a "live" 1080i transfer La Traviata arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Arthaus Musik. The transfer for this release is acceptable but nowhere near as impressive as what we've been seeing from Opus Arte as of late. First of all, even though detail is largely pleasing contrast is very inconsistent and depending on where and what the camera focuses on (La Traviata boasts massive and very elaborate stage decors) one is likely to notice a sizable amount of "judder". There is clearly some noticeable blurring that I noticed on my TV set which depending on how sensitive your eyes are I must assume you shall notice as well. Second, on this specific release the stage lighting creates a very unusual effect which often comes close to what I would typically address on SDVD as edge-enhancement. Furthermore, the larger your screen the easier it will be for you to notice an unusually thick lining that follows the singers when the camera is positioned opposite of the light source. This is the first time I've seen this unusual effect and even though it is not incredibly disturbing it is nevertheless something that I find to be irritating. The rest of the video presentation appears to be intact. Optional English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, and Japanese subtitles are provided for the main feature. (Note: This is a region-free disc which you will be able to play on your BD machine regardless of your location).

Giuseppe Verdi: La Traviata Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There are two audio tracks on this Blu-ray disc: Italian DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 and Italian PCM Stereo. Unfortunately, the audio treatment for La Traviata provided by Arthaus Musik isn't a match for the terrific treatments we have been getting from Opus Arte either. Why? The simple answer is – balance. I am unsure precisely how this disc was mastered but there are notable gaps between the singers and the orchestra here that do a great disservice to the beautiful arias Verdi wrote. More often than not the orchestra sounds hollow, flat, and uninspiring, with only occasional instances of full and rich sound. Furthermore, I personally found the rear channels to be weak and notably underwhelming. I certainly understand that there are a great deal of limitations that a "live" transfer presents but even the basics here appear to be off. There is a lack of consistency both in terms of clarity and balance which appears to be affecting the entire transfer, not only selected areas from it. (I would personally recommend that you opt for the PCM Stereo track as the balance issues I addressed are less obvious with it).

Giuseppe Verdi: La Traviata Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Arthaus Musik have provided a beautiful 32-page booklet for La Traviata. In it you will find a lovely essay by Richard Eckstein titled "Realistic Revelations of Intimate Inner Psychology: Guiseppe Verdi's La Traviata" where the author sums up the plot of the opera, some of its history, as well as its relevance in a contemporary setting. There is also a great summation on the appeal of La Traviata amongst Italian film directors. The essay is offered in English, French, and German (English translation: Hugh Keith, French translation: Sylvie Lapp). On the actual disc you will find a gallery with four trailers for other Arthaus Musik releases.

Giuseppe Verdi: La Traviata Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

This Blu-ray disc, courtesy of newcomers Arthaus Musik, offers an intriguing rendition of Verdi's classic La Traviata as envisioned by Italian film director Liliana Cavani. It is notably reserved and with a distinctive cinematic look which some may not find particularly pleasing. I did and think that Liliana Cavani's rather contemporary treatment works quite well with Maestro Maazel's flawless command of the orchestra. This being said, the audio treatment here is somewhat disappointing. Balance is problematic to say the least and probably something many will find impossible to ignore given how high Opus Arte have raised the bar with their Blu-ray releases.