Only a few opera houses in the world can afford a cast such as the one I have been enjoying last Saturday at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden in London.
Anna Netrebko as Violetta Valéry,
Jonas Kaufmann as Alfredo Germont and
Dmitri Hvorostovsky as Giorgio Germont. The fabulous chorus and orchestra of the Royal Opera House were conducted by
Maurizio Benini. On the stage a revival of the beautiful production created by
Richard Eyre.
After
Anna's huge success on the first performance on 14. January, she was obliged to cancel the three next performances on 17, 20 and 23th January, due to a bronchitis. I had a ticket for the performance on 26. January and I went to London on Friday 25th January, without to know if she would be recovered or not. Friday night I went with a friend to the ROH to look for some, hopefully not bad, news about Anna. There was no cancellation announcement and people at the ROH told us that
Anna will sing on Saturday. Thanks God!!!
On Saturday, around 2 hours before the start of the performance, we went to the stage door to look for
Anna's arrival. Yes!!! Anna arrived 1 hour and half before the performance starts. So, this was the definitive confirmation!!! Anna was there!!!
The performance began and
Anna was better than ever. Her powerful diamond-like voice came across the whole orchestral mass density, filling everything. While at other moments, she did wonderful pianissimi. I was completely moved. At the end of the first act, people began to clap and to scream "Brava!", "Bravissima!". At the curtain calls, a long standing ovation and more and more "Brava!", "Bravissima!". It was the best opera performance I have ever seen. Anna was a true goddess.
Jonas Kaufmann was also very good, brilliant at some points, and I liked very much
Dmitri Hvorostovsky. It was the first time I saw him live and I really got a very good impression. We have to keep in mind the concerts that
Anna and
Dmitri will have the next season. Great orchestra and conductor.
Remember that this performance will be
broadcast on BBC 3 radio on 9. February and that there is a last opportunity to see this Traviata cast live at the ROH on 29. January.
We were to the stage door after the performance. After a while, they told us that the cast had a dinner at the ROH and they would not come to sign in. But, apparently, Dmitri changed his mind and he came out to the door leaving the ROH. He signed me the program. After a while we went to dinner at the Bertorelli, just in front of the stage's door. At 11:30 PM I saw
Anna and her IMG general manager leaving the ROH, with a flower's bouquet each one. She was looking great. Thanks Anna!!!
Press Reviews
"the first thing that I was struck by was the sheer size of the voice: this is a huge and luscious instrument", "She could shade it for expressive subtlety and fine it down for a heart-stopping pianissimo, as she did for the start of the second verse (sic) of Addio del passato”
La Traviata with La Netrebko, Alnwickian, 28. January 2008
Photos
Anna Netrebko and Dmitri Hvorostovsky at the final curtain call. La Traviata, ROH, London 26. January 2008. Photo: Olga
Anna Netrebko at the final curtain call. La Traviata, ROH, London 26. January 2008. Photo: Olga
Anna Netrebko at the final curtain call. La Traviata, ROH, London 26. January 2008. Photo: Olga
Anna Netrebko, Jonas Kaufmann, Dmitri Hvorostovsky and Maurizio Benini at the final curtain call. La Traviata, ROH, London 26. January 2008. Photo: Olga
Anna Netrebko, Jonas Kaufmann, Dmitri Hvorostovsky and Maurizio Benini at the final curtain call. La Traviata, ROH, London 26. January 2008. Photo: Olga
Anna Netrebko, Dmitri Hvorostovsky and Maurizio Benini at the final curtain call. La Traviata, ROH, London 26. January 2008. Photo: Olga
Anna Netrebko made her very much awaited debut as Violetta at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden on 14. January 2008, with Jonas Kaufmann as Alfredo and Dmitri Hvorostovsky as Giorgio Germont. The performance was conducted by Maurizio Benini.