La Traviata, Teatro alla Scala

Dec 9, 2013

“ . . . Diana Damrau in superb form . . . Reverting to party demeanor, Ms. Damrau delivers “Sempre libera” with tonal and technical brilliance, while Annina — more a confidante than a maid in the veteran soprano Mara Zampieri’s portrayal — watches, smoking a cigar . . . Ms. Damrau turns Violetta’s musically exquisite but elusive comment to Alfredo at the end of Act II that someday he will understand the situation into a scarcely veiled plea that she wants him back, sung on her knees. Just as powerfully, he rejects her . . . there is thus better preparation for Violetta’s final moments, rendered so poignantly by Ms. Damrau.”

George Loomis, The New York Times – December 9, 2013