Key Word Search
Multi-Field Search
Browse
Repertory Report
Performers Report
Contacts
Met Opera Website
La Traviata
Metropolitan Opera House, Wed, October 11, 1978
La Traviata (652)
Giuseppe Verdi | Francesco Maria Piave
- Violetta
- Mariana Nicolesco
- Alfredo
- Carlo Bergonzi
- Germont
- Mario Sereni
- Flora
- Ariel Bybee
- Gastone
- Charles Anthony
- Baron Douphol
- Robert Goodloe
- Marquis D'Obigny
- Gene Boucher
- Dr. Grenvil
- Philip Booth
- Annina
- Ann Florio
- Giuseppe
- John Hanriot
- Gardener
- Paul De Paola
- Dance
- Suzanne Laurence
- Dance
- Dave Roeger
- Conductor
- James Conlon
Review 1:
Review of Bill Zakariasen in the Daily News
There were some new voices to be heard Wednesday night as the Met Opera did "La Traviata" and City Opera gave "The Magic Flute." Therefore, I had to split my duties between the two companies. Good thing Cityop and the Met are literally a stone's throw from each other.
The Met's debutante in the role of Violetta did in fact, first appear in this country last year at Cityop, and in the same part. Soprano Mariana Niculescu was slated to open in "Rigoletto" later on, but since her Romanian compatriot, Eugenia Moldoveanu, fell ill, she was put on the boards early. Both singers have a good deal in common beside their nationality - Latin good looks, better-than-average acting ability, and voices flexible enough to handle the coloratura of Act I and the heavy lyricism of the rest. Moldoveanu is technically more adept, but Niculescu has the more arresting vocal sound. It's inclined to overgenerous vibration and veers noticeably sharp at times, but character is omnipresent. Her tonal production is erratic - exquisite pianissimos alternate with squalls - but Niculescu is a most affecting and intriguing singing actress, well-deserving of the attention she has inspired since her first appearances here.
Bergonzi's Return
Tenor Carlo Bergonzi returned to the Met as Alfredo and, although his actions still resemble those of a trained seal, his singing was full of the aristocratic fervor happily associated with him. He was, moreover, in unusually good voice. Mario Sereni substituting as Papa Germont for Ingvar Wixell was his usual inimitable self. A special salute to Ann Florio, who did her fellow choristers proud in the role of Annina.
Search by season: 1978-79
Search by title: La Traviata,
Met careers
- James Conlon [Conductor]
- Mariana Nicolesco [Violetta]
- Carlo Bergonzi [Alfredo]
- Mario Sereni [Germont]
- Ariel Bybee [Flora]
- Charles Anthony [Gastone]
- Robert Goodloe [Baron Douphol]
- Gene Boucher [Marquis D'Obigny]
- Philip Booth [Dr. Grenvil]
- Ann Florio [Annina]
- John Hanriot [Giuseppe]
- Paul De Paola [Gardener]
- Suzanne Laurence [Dance]
- Dave Roeger [Dance]