Since you are interested in Verdi: La Traviata (Franco Zeffirelli's film of the complete opera), here is a list of other items that you may find interesting.
GIUSEPPE VERDI
Verdi: Rigoletto (Complete opera recorded in 1977) The Metropolitan Opera / Placido Domingo, Ileana Cotrubas, Cornell MacNeil / James Levine (cond) [ Deutsche Grammophon DVD / DVD - released 27/May/2004 ] "Yes, Rigoletto is a singer's opera, but Verdi also poured into it some of his most dramatic as well as melodic music. That said, the vivid colours of the production have come up amazingly well and the sound is clear." (MusicWeb Dec 2006) |
EDWARD ELGAR / GARETH FARR
Elgar: Cello Concerto in E minor op.85 / Farr: Cello Concerto 'Chemin des Dames' Sebastien Hurtaud (cello), New Zealand Symphony Orchestra Benjamin Northey (conductor) [ Rubicon / CD - released 6/Nov/2020 ] New Zealand composer Gareth Farr wrote his cello concerto after discovering some family history. His three great uncles left New Zealand to fight in France in World War I. All three were killed within weeks of arrival. Elgar's famous concerto was... |
GEORGES BIZET
Bizet: Carmen (complete opera filmed in 2006) Royal Opera House / Jonas Kaufmann, Anna Caterina Antonacci, Ildebrando D'Arcangelo / Antonio Pappano (conductor) [ Decca Classics DVD / DVD - released 25/Jan/2017 ] "Kaufmann and Antonacci are that rare breed: superb singers who can also act with subtlety and passion" The Guardian |
GIUSEPPE VERDI
Verdi: Don Carlo (complete opera recorded in 1983) Metropolitan Opera / Placido Domingo, Mirella Freni, Grace Bumbry, Nicolai Ghiaurov / James Levine (cond) [ Deutsche Grammophon DVD / 2 DVD - released 13/Oct/2005 ] Filmed in 1983, this DVD captures the Metropolitan Opera's sweeping sets, its army of authentically costumed singers, and a cast of glowing soloists led by Plácido Domingo, Mirella Freni, Grace Bumbry and Nicolai Ghiaurov |
GAETANO DONIZETTI
Donizetti: Don Pasquale (complete opera recorded in 2010) Metropolitan Opera / Anna Netrebko, Matthew Polenzani, John Del Carlo / James Levine (cond) [ Deutsche Grammophone DVD / DVD - released 26/May/2011 ] A red hot ticket at the Metropolitan Opera in 2010/2011 was Donizetti's comic gem, Don Pasquale, with Anna Netrebko reviving Norina, the part that made her a star in New York. |
W. A. MOZART
Mozart: Die Zauberflote (The Magic Flute) (complete opera recorded in 1983) Bayerische State Opera / Kurt Moll, Francisco Araiza, Edita Gruberova, Lucia Popp, Wolfgang Brendel, Gudrun Sieber / Wolfgang Sawallisch (cond) [ Deutsche Grammophon / Unitel DVD / DVD - released 3/Nov/2005 ] G :- "This charming production features Lucia Popp's still glorious Pamina and Moll's resonant Sarastro heading a first-rate cast. Brendel's Papageno lightens the recommendation." (BBC Music) |
PUCCINI / BIZET / DVORAK / OFFENBACH / DONIZETTI / VERDI / etc
40 Most Beautiful Arias Maria Callas, Placido Domingo, Cecilia Bartoli, Kiri te Kanawa, Jose Carreras, José Cura, Angela Gheorghiu, etc [ Warner Classics / 2 CD - released 10/Feb/2009 ] Nothing stirs the soul and tugs at the heartstrings more than an inspired operatic aria. Warner Classics CD set 40 MOST BEAUTIFUL ARIAS collects forty of the most moving ones the world has known on this star-studded collection. |
GIUSEPPE VERDI
Verdi: Aida (complete opera recorded in 1989) Metropolitan Opera / Aprile Millo, Dolora Zajick, Placido Domingo / James Levine, conductor [ Deutsche Grammophon DVD / DVD - released 20/Sep/2003 ] "Levine's is a stalwart reading, less flashy than Maazel's and with a finer orchestra, although he could have turned up the tempo and temperature a little for the war declaration and the tomb scene." Gramophone |
GIUSEPPE VERDI
Verdi: Simon Boccanegra (the complete opera recorded in 1995) Metropolitan Opera / Kiri Te Kanawa, Vladimir Chernov, Placido Domingo, Robert Lloyd / James Levine (conductor) [ Deutsche Grammophon DVD / DVD - released 16/Sep/2004 ] "Vladimir Chernov's Boccanegra, a compelling portrayal, beautifully and intensely sung. His eyes tell us throughout of Boccanegra's torments of mind and heart. Levine draws fine performances from his players, but Solti does as well if not... |
GIUSEPPE VERDI
Verdi: Simon Boccanegra (complete opera recorded in 2010) Metropolitan Opera / Plácido Domingo, Adrianne Pieczonka, James Morris, Marcello Giordani / James Levine (cond) [ Sony Metropolitan Series DVD / 2 DVD - released 20/Feb/2011 ] "(Domingo's) portrayal is touching and sounds beautiful, particularly in the last act; in its own way, it is yet another triumph for him in what is a very long career of triumphs." (ClassicsToday) |
VERDI
The Art of Verdi [2 CD set] Placido Domingo (tenor) with various guests [ Deutsche Grammophon / 2 CD - released 21/Feb/2013 ] Here is Plácido Domingo's first glorious contribution to Verdi Year - a wide-ranging anthology of his starring roles, over two hours of glorious singing. |