Review of Violetta/Anna Netrebko/Rolando Villazon/Thomas Hampson

Artists:  Anna Netrebko, Rolando Villazon, and Thomas Hampson.
Album:  Violetta:  Arias and Duets from Verdi's La Traviata.
Recording Company:  Deutsche Grammaphon.
Recording Date:  2005.

Anna Netrebko, Violetta.
Rolando Villazon, Alfredo.
Thomas Hampson, Germount.
Weiner Staatsopernchor, Weiner Philharmoniker, Carlo Rizzi.

This is an issue from the 2005 Salzburg Festival.  It's a production of Verdi's La Traviata by Carlo Rizzi and Weiner Philharmoniker.  Anna Netrebko, Rolando Villazon, and Thomas Hampson star in the leads.  The story is simple.  It's about a fallen women who prostitutes herself out for money.  She's forced to chose to between true love and financial gain.  She eventually chooses true love but dies from her consumption (TB).

Verdi's La Traviata is the basis for the movie Moulin Rouge.  The production is excellent.  The singing is first class.  Granted.  Verdi isn't everyone's cup of tea.  But whenever I get in the mood for opera, I'll put this CD on for a spin.  Recommended for Xmas.