puede no tener una gran colorotura, pero su interpretación es PERFECTA,TE LA CREES,algo que se puede decir de muy pocas...NO OLVIDEMOS QUE LA OPERA TAMBIÉN ES TEATRO
Cuando vi esto por primera vez realmente supe que quería ser cantante de ópera. Teresa ha sido una de las grandes las más grandes cantantes-actrices de nuestro tiempo.
I really don't understand all the criticism because i'm watching and listening and she is Violetta a movie opera is far different than a staged opera. On film you have to act as well as sing on stage you just stand there and sing and occasionally walk around.
Obviously, by the way she looks she IS Violetta.... But I am not found of her singing, especially for this aria (personnal opinion and I respect the ones who love her performance)... She is kind of screaming, isn't she? Anyway, I definitely prefer a Cotrubras, a Callas, a Sutherland, a Sills or a Freni here. But I read in a post that herself knew she wasn't made for that role and told Zeffirelli who still wanted her for her Violetta.
An amazing "performance" in terms of acting, but I believe Stratas was ill when the recording was made. She was never in posession of a boringly beautiful voice, but she could certaibnly sing Violetta better than here. There are live recordings of her in the theatre that prove this. Nevertheless, she captures Violetta's desperation and tragedy, even though this is hard on the ears.
i have this exact version at home only its on video caset. comparing the two the video caset sounds better than watching it on youtube i have got no idea why everything sounds a bit flat.
FZ definitely wanted Callas for this, but she was gone. Stratas knew it too, and in his book, FZ writes that one day, Stratas finally said something like, "I am not Callas. I don't have her voice or figure. All I have is this tiny little body, and you have to work with that." I think Callas created probably the definitive vocal and stage Violett , but in a movie setting, I don't think she would have been as fragile, tender, or moving as Stratas, who was truly moving and heartbreaking.
I first saw this opera when I was 8 and Theresa has a voice and acting ability which I love equally. I think she mixes the perfect tones of desperation singing this music which portray the tragedy of the character perfectly. She inspired me to be an opera singer which I now am. Also, if you listen to the whole opera she also sings the quiet arias with beautiful sensitivity! I think in this aria she is really portraying a sense of dramatic frustration with the futile nature of her lifestyle.
All of this is on a continuum - after 1750 (the era of virtuosic singing) the Enlightenemnt ushered in a character of 'Realism" - characters and/or Singers/actors that were believable (Thank Gluck for this). So its always a tactical sacrifice to balance the actor with singing - and in this especailly for a 'Movie Opers'. For singing virtuaosity - go listen to this piece done by a classical singer in a singing performance - not an actual opera.
Stratas was made for the movie opera in my opinion. I don't think anybody can say that Verdi should be blamed for doing anything but make the best operas since Rossini. The high notes might not all be there but keep in mind that she's a dying woman from the start, tragically it is an opera about death and the music starts off with the drinking song and ends with how lovely dying can be. I think her voice is amazing.
The comments here are compelling. I would agree with those who say the voice is not comparable to the acting. Teresa Stratas is a singing actress. Her high notes cannot be compared to other divas with lesser acting skills. Zefferelli cast her to get the whole package, and she can sing the notes. The music is gorgeous and I've sung it. Stratas is also amazing in her Kurt Weill repertoire. Check that out.
Why? You've just listen to other sopranos, Anna Moffo for example, which were in opposite to this quite amazing! And the music itself is ingenious, so I don't understand, why I should blame the composer... Opera ist, how I think, not just playing on the stage, the main thing is to sing, to touch the listeners in their heart, and not to make them numb...
Plus rather than focusing on her voice, also keep in mind this movie is beautiful to watch...it is sumptuous feast for the eyes. This is a great looking movie in itself
Teresa Stratas was my 1st Violetta. I know she's not like Anna Moffo, Joan Sutherland, Beverly Sills and other sopranos who have a decorative coloratura and agile touch. But I think that Zefferelli cast her as Violetta because she reminded him of Callas. Stratas was Greek like Callas (and she resembles Callas in Act 2's party in the black gown) and she had a big dramatic voice for this movie. It's all about the dramatic characterization. I think she's amazing
@MastersoftheOpera But Callas had incredible coloratura abilities, and hence her specialization in Bel Canto for a large portion of her career. Stratas makes and amazing Lulu and can certainly act, but I find her pitches a little...approximated
@musikphantom1881 . Zefferelli the director of this movie knew Callas in person. He wanted to make a Traviata movie with Callas but she refused/or died before it happened. In 1982, there was no soprano who could sing like Callas. It's true that Stratas is not perfect as Violetta but if Zefferelli cast her it's for a good reason. Like I said, she was Greek like Callas and kind of looked like Callas. She is as good as Greta Garbo in Camille
@MastersoftheOpera I didn't mean to suggest that you were incorrect as to why she was cast; I merely meant that I disagree with Zefferelli's decision to equate Stratas with Callas because to me the two seem extremely dissimilar vocally, which has been displayed in the vast difference in their respective repertoires.
She is not suited for coloratura roles , but her powerful stage presence and dramatic skills is something that really goes into my heart , plus she have a beautiful voice she only lacks the agility
(She is not at her prime)
I don´t care I love her anyway just for the fact that she is an outstanding artist
I loved this movie when it came out, and visually it is stunning. Now I am a professional and combing youtube for inspiration on how other sopranos have interpreted what is in my opinion the single most difficult aria in the entire repertoire (at least in Italian!) I was shocked at how bad she is in this scene. Not professional. But very lovely. And I know she had a career...but it sounds like someone is strangling a cat in the melismatic passages. Completely unsupported and off key...WTF!
Oh my God! It's nearly horrible, she sounds like an old hurdy-gurdy, I can't understand that someone was so stupid to engage her in this beautiful production, unbelievable... Domingo is great, the backdrop is amazing, but this singing is just hair-raising! I get stomach pains, if I'm further watching at it...
Verdi created this opera during his middle period in which his focus seemed to be on morality, disease, and tragedy. He used illness as a metaphor and kills off many of his characters with Tuberculosis. Which is obviously what Violetta has contracted, I think Stratas does a good job at singing like a grieving hooker with TB.
I think that's H-I-L-A-R-I-O-U-S! but I think it's time to stop classifying Verdi's time periods of composition. Indeed he was influenced by the time periods that he lived but the astute listener will realize that Verdi developed his own style and kept it within all his operas. Verdi focused on developing characters through their melodies and relied on the music to fulfill the drama. I love Stratas but this is the most ugliest I've ever heard from her.
Thanks, I got good jokes. I really do believe her performance is ideal for the character of Victoria Valerie but as you say, the music is what really magnifies the brilliance of Verdi's music. I do not classify myself as an astute listener, but rather a student to his music and I enjoy elaborating on the details behind the history.
I loved this film when I was a kid...but always thought her voice was really ugly. When I eventually heard singers like Cotrubas and Anderson in the role I was surprised how tuneful it was!!!
I believe Stratas was ill when the soundtrack was recorded.. this is pretty dire. Of course she "overacts" to cover up her deficiency. And she looks the part. But it's an opera - you need to be able to sing it!
Very intense and fiery. Strange that the strained top doesn't bother me, it kinda fits with the character. And she sings it with a WILD ABANDON that is all but gone from today's performances.
well in the movie shes dying from tb, and ur not gunna be singing ur best if ur lungs r collapsing from it r u? they probably tried to keep it a lil realistic maybe?
plus wat was mentioned b4... about Stratas having the flu at the time, i didnt no that, so there u go, taking all in2 account i think she was bloody brilliant =)
lamest justification ever. almost every female chacracter in opera is sick and dies at the end. So, according to you, sopranos should always sing horribly in the last act?
I think I'm inclined to go with popular opinion. I would rather listen to a soprano that screams the high notes but does everything else well than this mess.
VERY messy. Her notes aren't clear. Also...what is up with this video? It's totally weird. That last high note was painful too. Wow...I had heard that she was pretty good too...
When the film was being made Stratas was suffering from the flu. Zeff went to the recording studio one night and found her re-recording some of her stuff because she knew it wasn't up to her standards. See the movie - her acting more than makes up for the croaky voice.
I agree wholeheartedly...I saw this movie before I finally gave Stratas a chance. She is a much better singer than the movie comes across. As I watched the movie, I could not figure out why Zeffirelli had cast her, but after listening to her a bit more she definitely had a voice. Just discard this and enjoy the rest. Cheers.
puede no tener una gran colorotura, pero su interpretación es PERFECTA,TE LA CREES,algo que se puede decir de muy pocas...NO OLVIDEMOS QUE LA OPERA TAMBIÉN ES TEATRO
========================
verdgner1 3 months ago
Cuando vi esto por primera vez realmente supe que quería ser cantante de ópera. Teresa ha sido una de las grandes las más grandes cantantes-actrices de nuestro tiempo.
RocioElizarraras 5 months ago
I really don't understand all the criticism because i'm watching and listening and she is Violetta a movie opera is far different than a staged opera. On film you have to act as well as sing on stage you just stand there and sing and occasionally walk around.
johnyzero2000 11 months ago
Obviously, by the way she looks she IS Violetta.... But I am not found of her singing, especially for this aria (personnal opinion and I respect the ones who love her performance)... She is kind of screaming, isn't she? Anyway, I definitely prefer a Cotrubras, a Callas, a Sutherland, a Sills or a Freni here. But I read in a post that herself knew she wasn't made for that role and told Zeffirelli who still wanted her for her Violetta.
matthieusarah 1 year ago
4:37 wow, just wow.
hobbesfan85 1 year ago
An amazing "performance" in terms of acting, but I believe Stratas was ill when the recording was made. She was never in posession of a boringly beautiful voice, but she could certaibnly sing Violetta better than here. There are live recordings of her in the theatre that prove this. Nevertheless, she captures Violetta's desperation and tragedy, even though this is hard on the ears.
Vsevolod14 1 year ago
i have this exact version at home only its on video caset. comparing the two the video caset sounds better than watching it on youtube i have got no idea why everything sounds a bit flat.
MrAsc0001 1 year ago
Zeffirelli è sempre "monumentale" esagerato, solo forma e, spesso, poca sostanza. Ben diverso dal suo grande maestro Luchino Visconti
armida53 1 year ago
FZ definitely wanted Callas for this, but she was gone. Stratas knew it too, and in his book, FZ writes that one day, Stratas finally said something like, "I am not Callas. I don't have her voice or figure. All I have is this tiny little body, and you have to work with that." I think Callas created probably the definitive vocal and stage Violett , but in a movie setting, I don't think she would have been as fragile, tender, or moving as Stratas, who was truly moving and heartbreaking.
Shahrdad 1 year ago 2
I first saw this opera when I was 8 and Theresa has a voice and acting ability which I love equally. I think she mixes the perfect tones of desperation singing this music which portray the tragedy of the character perfectly. She inspired me to be an opera singer which I now am. Also, if you listen to the whole opera she also sings the quiet arias with beautiful sensitivity! I think in this aria she is really portraying a sense of dramatic frustration with the futile nature of her lifestyle.
MsCSCG 1 year ago
All of this is on a continuum - after 1750 (the era of virtuosic singing) the Enlightenemnt ushered in a character of 'Realism" - characters and/or Singers/actors that were believable (Thank Gluck for this). So its always a tactical sacrifice to balance the actor with singing - and in this especailly for a 'Movie Opers'. For singing virtuaosity - go listen to this piece done by a classical singer in a singing performance - not an actual opera.
dewpep 2 years ago
Stratas was made for the movie opera in my opinion. I don't think anybody can say that Verdi should be blamed for doing anything but make the best operas since Rossini. The high notes might not all be there but keep in mind that she's a dying woman from the start, tragically it is an opera about death and the music starts off with the drinking song and ends with how lovely dying can be. I think her voice is amazing.
Bassplyr1470 2 years ago
not a voice for this role but briliant nevertheless
flouraki 2 years ago 7
The comments here are compelling. I would agree with those who say the voice is not comparable to the acting. Teresa Stratas is a singing actress. Her high notes cannot be compared to other divas with lesser acting skills. Zefferelli cast her to get the whole package, and she can sing the notes. The music is gorgeous and I've sung it. Stratas is also amazing in her Kurt Weill repertoire. Check that out.
dramaticolor 2 years ago
I like her acting, but not the singing. sorry.
papagena92 2 years ago 2
Why? You've just listen to other sopranos, Anna Moffo for example, which were in opposite to this quite amazing! And the music itself is ingenious, so I don't understand, why I should blame the composer... Opera ist, how I think, not just playing on the stage, the main thing is to sing, to touch the listeners in their heart, and not to make them numb...
getschi007 2 years ago
Plus rather than focusing on her voice, also keep in mind this movie is beautiful to watch...it is sumptuous feast for the eyes. This is a great looking movie in itself
MastersoftheOpera 2 years ago
Teresa Stratas was my 1st Violetta. I know she's not like Anna Moffo, Joan Sutherland, Beverly Sills and other sopranos who have a decorative coloratura and agile touch. But I think that Zefferelli cast her as Violetta because she reminded him of Callas. Stratas was Greek like Callas (and she resembles Callas in Act 2's party in the black gown) and she had a big dramatic voice for this movie. It's all about the dramatic characterization. I think she's amazing
MastersoftheOpera 2 years ago
@MastersoftheOpera But Callas had incredible coloratura abilities, and hence her specialization in Bel Canto for a large portion of her career. Stratas makes and amazing Lulu and can certainly act, but I find her pitches a little...approximated
musikphantom1881 1 year ago
@musikphantom1881 . Zefferelli the director of this movie knew Callas in person. He wanted to make a Traviata movie with Callas but she refused/or died before it happened. In 1982, there was no soprano who could sing like Callas. It's true that Stratas is not perfect as Violetta but if Zefferelli cast her it's for a good reason. Like I said, she was Greek like Callas and kind of looked like Callas. She is as good as Greta Garbo in Camille
MastersoftheOpera 1 year ago
@MastersoftheOpera I didn't mean to suggest that you were incorrect as to why she was cast; I merely meant that I disagree with Zefferelli's decision to equate Stratas with Callas because to me the two seem extremely dissimilar vocally, which has been displayed in the vast difference in their respective repertoires.
musikphantom1881 1 year ago
@MastersoftheOpera For me, Stratas was the Garbo of Opera. She was made for the screen. She just missed the HD Transmission era.
raythespian 1 year ago 3
@MastersoftheOpera
matthieusarah 1 year ago
She never was a coloratura. I saw her in Salome live and it was unbelievible. That was her's, no Violetta.
Magisapoulina 2 years ago
...no.
roofiebrancho 2 years ago
hey guys try to see stratas' GIUDITTA... Superb performance!!!
johnpagadu 2 years ago
By the way , she had flu here so I applaud her effort and adds more credibility to her portray of Miss Valery.
actor001 2 years ago
She is not suited for coloratura roles , but her powerful stage presence and dramatic skills is something that really goes into my heart , plus she have a beautiful voice she only lacks the agility
(She is not at her prime)
I don´t care I love her anyway just for the fact that she is an outstanding artist
Splendida Violetta!
actor001 2 years ago
I loved this movie when it came out, and visually it is stunning. Now I am a professional and combing youtube for inspiration on how other sopranos have interpreted what is in my opinion the single most difficult aria in the entire repertoire (at least in Italian!) I was shocked at how bad she is in this scene. Not professional. But very lovely. And I know she had a career...but it sounds like someone is strangling a cat in the melismatic passages. Completely unsupported and off key...WTF!
leslielandberg 2 years ago
Oh my God! It's nearly horrible, she sounds like an old hurdy-gurdy, I can't understand that someone was so stupid to engage her in this beautiful production, unbelievable... Domingo is great, the backdrop is amazing, but this singing is just hair-raising! I get stomach pains, if I'm further watching at it...
getschi007 2 years ago
wow. I like Stratas but this sucks
whatever456 2 years ago
hahaha... the lower chest sounds indeed like a mezzo's upper!!!!
that's pretty funny actually...
this is awful... i hate zeffirelli's sudden zoom ins (when domingo appears in the mirror, for example, he does that in all his films... eurgh)
i hate her singing, i hate the décors...
awful...
domingo is wonderful, though... so 1 point for him
luisortmul 2 years ago
he should have done it with callas, wich he had planned but stupid onassis married jackie and she became depressive..
distefano13069609 2 years ago
well, she was dead by 1982
luisortmul 2 years ago
good point
distefano13069609 2 years ago
Verdi created this opera during his middle period in which his focus seemed to be on morality, disease, and tragedy. He used illness as a metaphor and kills off many of his characters with Tuberculosis. Which is obviously what Violetta has contracted, I think Stratas does a good job at singing like a grieving hooker with TB.
MENSOERR 2 years ago
I think that's H-I-L-A-R-I-O-U-S! but I think it's time to stop classifying Verdi's time periods of composition. Indeed he was influenced by the time periods that he lived but the astute listener will realize that Verdi developed his own style and kept it within all his operas. Verdi focused on developing characters through their melodies and relied on the music to fulfill the drama. I love Stratas but this is the most ugliest I've ever heard from her.
DonRolini 2 years ago
Thanks, I got good jokes. I really do believe her performance is ideal for the character of Victoria Valerie but as you say, the music is what really magnifies the brilliance of Verdi's music. I do not classify myself as an astute listener, but rather a student to his music and I enjoy elaborating on the details behind the history.
MENSOERR 2 years ago
@MENSOERR Who is Victoria Valerie??!!
Feisenbach 1 month ago
@Feisenbach Violetta Valéry*
MENSOERR 1 month ago
@MENSOERR That's what I thought - just kidding. :-)
Feisenbach 1 month ago
hate the "follie!" part...
tripleaxell 2 years ago
I like how her whole world seems to come to a halt when Alfredo does his first section there, it appears to be drawn to the beauty of his words.
CluainSharoise 2 years ago
no one can do violetta as well as she does
cartoonandanime 3 years ago
callas can!
tripleaxell 2 years ago
you don't what a well sung Violetta sounds like then
SiEtIn1 2 years ago
I loved this film when I was a kid...but always thought her voice was really ugly. When I eventually heard singers like Cotrubas and Anderson in the role I was surprised how tuneful it was!!!
I believe Stratas was ill when the soundtrack was recorded.. this is pretty dire. Of course she "overacts" to cover up her deficiency. And she looks the part. But it's an opera - you need to be able to sing it!
Vsevolod14 3 years ago
Bleh!!! What is this?????
ferrykalos 3 years ago
certainly no Violetta IMHO
primadivo 3 years ago
Very intense and fiery. Strange that the strained top doesn't bother me, it kinda fits with the character. And she sings it with a WILD ABANDON that is all but gone from today's performances.
Elisabetta611 3 years ago
The singing is sort of off....but I like it!
flouraki 3 years ago
das ist so schrecklich das du dich umbringen willst
cesare1906 3 years ago
big voice. great actress, but coloratura... :P
igipereira 3 years ago 10
well in the movie shes dying from tb, and ur not gunna be singing ur best if ur lungs r collapsing from it r u? they probably tried to keep it a lil realistic maybe?
plus wat was mentioned b4... about Stratas having the flu at the time, i didnt no that, so there u go, taking all in2 account i think she was bloody brilliant =)
daroxybabe 3 years ago
lamest justification ever. almost every female chacracter in opera is sick and dies at the end. So, according to you, sopranos should always sing horribly in the last act?
SiEtIn1 2 years ago
I think I'm inclined to go with popular opinion. I would rather listen to a soprano that screams the high notes but does everything else well than this mess.
certifiedwench 4 years ago
omg...oh my dear lord. That was soooo unbelievably horrendous!!!! i think the worst i have ever heard.
garconfrancais01 4 years ago
Teresa is wonderful as Violetta!
theprimadonna 4 years ago
One lung? What do you mean?
x4812k 4 years ago
I think I had heard she had TB
Dymension 4 years ago
keep in mind that she's singing on *one* lung,
*I* think she's gorgeous. every not she sings is gorgeous
kerpos 4 years ago
VERY messy. Her notes aren't clear. Also...what is up with this video? It's totally weird. That last high note was painful too. Wow...I had heard that she was pretty good too...
Iareto 5 years ago
When the film was being made Stratas was suffering from the flu. Zeff went to the recording studio one night and found her re-recording some of her stuff because she knew it wasn't up to her standards. See the movie - her acting more than makes up for the croaky voice.
skida3 4 years ago
and presumably parts of areas, which is quite clear at around 4:12...oh well, she's an amazing actress
operalover9001 4 years ago
I agree wholeheartedly...I saw this movie before I finally gave Stratas a chance. She is a much better singer than the movie comes across. As I watched the movie, I could not figure out why Zeffirelli had cast her, but after listening to her a bit more she definitely had a voice. Just discard this and enjoy the rest. Cheers.
goodday4guinness 4 years ago