LA TRAVIATA - Maria Callas, Lisbon 1958 (Complete Opera Verdi)

The fabled "Lisbon Traviata" with Alfredo Kraus (Alfredo), and Mario Sereni (Giorgio), conducted by Franco Ghione, live performance, March 27, 1958. (In 1958 in January there was her also famous walk-out at the Rome Opera...)

São Carlos de Lisboa... all was swept aside by the go-for-broke intensity of Callas' Violetta. In the midst of all that mediocrity was this vivid portrayal of the brave, angry, feverish Violetta created by Callas. Listen to the letter scene (1:40:13) and "Addio del passato", also the "Alfredo, Alfredo" (1:26:49) using floating pianissimi... tearfull pianissimi... It's like conducting the orchestra herself.

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Act 1

The salon in Violetta's house (4:15). Violetta throws a lavish party at her Paris salon to celebrate her recovery from an illness. Alfredo agrees to sing a drinking song (Libiamo ne' lieti calici, 09:34). From the next room, the sound of the orchestra is heard and the guests move there to dance. Alfredo enters and expresses his concern for her fragile health, later declaring his love for her (Un dì, felice, eterea, 15:07).
After the guests leave, Violetta wonders if Alfredo could actually be the one in her life (Ah, fors'è lui, 21:52). But she concludes that she needs freedom to live her life (Sempre libera, 27:32)...

Act 2

Violetta's country house outside Paris (31:40). Three months later, Alfredo and Violetta are living together (Alfredo: De' miei bollenti spiriti, 33:36).
Alfredo's father, Giorgio, demands that she break off her relationship with his son for the sake of his family, since he reveals that Violetta's relationship with Alfredo has threatened his daughter's engagement (Pura siccome un angelo, 40:22) because of Violetta's reputation. With growing remorse, she finally agrees (Dite alla giovine sì bella e pura, 47:42).
As she is writing a farewell letter to Alfredo, he enters. She can barely control her sadness and tears (Amami, Alfredo, 57:43). Giorgio returns and attempts to comfort his son (Di Provenza il mar, 1:03:56), but Alfredo rushes out...

Party at Flora's house (1:08:56). Flora calls for the entertainers to perform for the guests (Chorus: Noi siamo zingarelle, 1:10:04; Di Madride noi siam mattadori, 1:12:54). Violetta arrives with Baron Douphol. As everyone is leaving the room, Violetta has asked Alfredo to see her. Alfredo misunderstands her apprehension and demands that she admit that she loves the Baron. In grief, she makes that admission and, furiously, Alfredo calls the guests to witness what he has to say (Questa donna conoscete?, 1:22:49). She faints onto the floor. Giorgio enters the hall (Di sprezzo degno sè stesso rende, 1:24:49). Violetta turns to Alfredo (Alfredo, Alfredo...1:26:49).

Act 3

Violetta's bedroom (1:31:28). Violetta will not live long since her tuberculosis has worsened. Alone in her room, she reads a letter from Alfredo's father (Teneste la promessa, 1:40:12), but she senses it is too late (Addio, del passato, 1:42:11). The lovers are reunited and Alfredo suggests that they leave Paris (Parigi, o cara, noi lasceremo, 1:47:48). She knows her time is up (Gran Dio!...morir sì giovane, 1:53:52). A moment later, she dies in Alfredo's arms.

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Maria Callas - Amami, Alfredo! (score animation): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AswghTQ8Zv4

LA TRAVIATA (Silent Film, 1915) :: Francesca Bertini ::
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ng-IzLsjmdE

Ah, fors'è lui ~ Maria Callas, Regina Pacini, Luisa Tetrazzini, and... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5k3Q2VpBZs

Teneste la promessa - Toscanini vs. Claudia Muzio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJw2nz8mqvE

LA TRAVIATA - La Scala 1928 (Complete Opera Verdi): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMPzTfPnHFg

LA TRAVIATA - Carlos Kleiber 1977 (Complete Opera Verdi): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00S8CAcLZJY

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