Label: Warner Classics/Erato
Diana Damrau, Francesco Demuro, Ludovic Tézier
Production: Benoît Jacquot
Conductor: Francesco Ivan Ciampa
Opéra National de Paris

Composer: Giuseppe Verdi

2016 ECHO Klassik Award – Music DVD/Blu-ray Recording (Opera)

Reviews:

“There is a lot of good music to report on. Diana Damrau is in excellent voice and brings ample colors in her singing, which shows a development of the character of Violetta both believable and also shattering.” (Remy Franck, Pizzicato)

“Soprano Diana Damrau’s remarkably detailed, beautifully sung performance as Violetta is the main reason to recommend this DVD of filmmaker Benoît Jacquot’s spare production of Verdi’s familiar La Traviata for Opéra National de Paris. Damrau’s voice has matured and darkened a bit in the last few years, and she’s one of the few sopranos today that have the coloratura ability required for Act I as well as the lushness required for the long and emotionally difficult music of Acts II and III. Damrau has given us a very personal take on this character; she is a sicker woman than usual in Act I, having not just one but several fainting spells while trying to host her party. Dr. Grenvil (Nicolas Teste) hovers about her through the scene, and examines her breathing during the opening prelude. “Sempre Libera” is an internal battle for Violetta’s soul rather than mere coloratura fireworks. There is bitterness rather than joy in returning to her old life. It works beautifully.

Damrau also personalizes the role by playing it as a series of discoveries. In Act III, the dawning revelation that she is doomed, despite Alfredo’s return, is played as a slow and terrifying realization. In Damrau’s eyes and in her voice, we see and hear her fear and frustration. She sings both verses of “Addio, del passato” with tonal beauty and a stunning variety of colors . . . this DVD is worth seeing for Damrau’s spectacular Violetta.” (Henson Keys – Opera News)