Virginia Zeani / Bruno Prevedi - Finale 1/2: "Parigi, o cara...Gran Dio" (Verdi, La Traviata)

Annina, Violetta's servant, enters to inform Violetta of a great, unexpected joy: her Alfredo has returned. Alfredo rushes to Violetta, explaining that his father has told him everything, and begs her forgiveness. She gladly receives him, and they reunite in the vain hope that they shall leave Paris and begin a new life together (Parigi, o cara). Violetta expresses her wish to dress and go to church with Alfredo to offer thanks to God for his return, but her strength fails her. Devastated, she laments she has to die so young, when she is so close to life-long happiness with Alfredo (Gran Dio, morir si' giovine - Great God, to die so young.) Alfredo begs her to calm down because her grief penetrates deep into his heart.

Giuseppe Verdi: LA TRAVIATA

Violetta Valéry Virginia Zeani
Alfredo Germont Bruno Prevedi
Giorgio Germont Robert Merrill
Flora Bervoix Marcia Baldwin
Gastone Charles Anthony
Baron Douphol Ron Bottcher
Marquis D'Obigny Gene Boucher
Dr Grenvil Louis Sgarro
Annina Karan Armstrong

Chorus&Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera House,
Conductor: Georges Prêtre
New York (November 12th 1966)

Enjoy this last scene in the passionate, deeply involved interpretations granted by Romanian soprano Virginia Zeani and Italian tenor Bruno Prevedi.


(P.S. The photo you can see among other photos does not represent Zeani with Prevedi, but Zeani with Kraus. I was unable to find any photo of Prevedi as Alfredo.)

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Virginia
• Zeani
• Bruno
• Prevedi
• Parigi
• Gran
• Dio
• Verdi
• Traviata
• MET
• 1966
• Pretre

[gestas60323]

This is incredibly beautiful. Is this performance available on CD? I own 2 Traviatas with Zeani, one is a live recording conducted 1960 by Nello Santi, and the Romanian studio recording with Ion Buzeo and the magnificent Nicolae Herlea.

But in your post her Alfredo, Bruno Prevedi, is an absolutely ideal partner in beautiful voice.

Thanks for this post.

[corellithebest]

Unfortunately, the performance is not available on CD, it is a pirate recording. I downloaded it from Opera Share yahoo group. I too have her CG Traviata, but yes, of course, I agree that Prevedi is her ideal partner in this opera. They are so perfectly matched, both vocally and dramatically. :)

I don't have her Romanian studio recording, but I have no doubt that Buzea and Herlea match her ideally, as well. Romanian singers are outstanding, really.

[gestas60323]

Thank you for your answer. I meanwhile found the 1966 MET performance at "House of Opera" and just ordered it.

Which one is the CG Traviata ? Is this the one I own, under Nello Santi and with McAlpine as Alfredo? I never knew where it was taken, because they do not mention the location on the CD cover. But it is very beautiful, she does sing the Eflat at the end of "Sempre libera" in this performance.

[corellithebest]

Yes, it is from Covent Garden, with McAlpine and conducted by Nello Santi. Do you mean you found this performance with Prevedi in CD format? Because I thought it isn't available. :)

[gestas60323]

Yes, you can order it in CD format from "House of Opera". After listening to your wonderful postings I hunted for it and found it there. I must thank you for drawing my attention to this performance. I think it is Viirginia Zeani´s debut at the MET?

[corellithebest]

Yes, it is. :)

[corellithebest]

What a beautiful and sensitive comment!