Stage director
Richard Eyre

Conductor
Sir Georg Solti
Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden

Performers
Violetta : Angela Gheorghiu
Germont : Frank Lopardo
Germont Sr : Leo Nucci


An opera recording that should not be missed. This was the performance, at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden late in 1994, which turned a hitherto obscure Romanian soprano into an overnight sensation. Angela Gheorghiu's appearance as Violetta established her instantly as not only a fine actress with a striking stage presence, raven-black hair and slimline figure perfectly suited to the romantic heroines; but also as a remarkable singer of outstanding passion and control. Comparisons with Callas were inevitable.

Since then, Gheorghiu's career has deservedly raced ahead, and she is now arguably top of the A-list sopranos in the opera circuit. Her UK appearances in 2001, including a recital the ROH, were booked out months beforehand.

This recording lets you see what all the fuss was about. As the Penguin Guide to Compact Discs 1999 said of the sound recording: "In a magnetic reading Solti treats the piece, not with his old fierceness, but with refinement and tenderness as well as emotional weight from the ravishingly hushed opening of the Prelude onwards.... As on stage, Gheorghiu brings heartfelt revelations, using her rich and vibrant, finely shaded soprano with consistent subtlety. Youthfully vivacious in the first Act, dazzling in her coloratura, she already reveals the depths of feeling which compel her later self-sacrifice".

Add Gheorghiu's compelling stage presence and you have an opera to remember.