This DVD of a live 2005 performance from the Zürich Opera under the musical direction of Franz Welser-Möst has many things to recommend it -- the young tenor Piotr Beczala as Alfredo, the marvelous Thomas Hampson as Giorgio Germont, the playing of the Zurich Opera orchestra, the simple but effective sets by by Erich Wonder, the uncluttered stage direction by Jürgen Flimm. It also has some flaws: strangely variable volume level of the recorded sound sometimes coming on so loud as to make one reach for the volume control, and the uneven performance of the Violetta, Eva Mei who, for all her merits, gives a dramatically effective performance marred by occasional difficulties with vocal production. Still, overall I felt this was a moving production, one that I would recommend, although perhaps not as an only DVD of one of Verdi's most popular operas.
Eva Mei
as Violetta
Piotr Beczała
as Alfredo
Thomas Hampson
as Germont
Katharina Peetz
as Flora
Miroslav Christoff
as Gastone
Valeriy Murga
as Baron Douphol
Irène Friedli
as Annina
Giuseppe Scorsin
as Doctor Grenvil
Richard Mayr
as Marqués D'Obigny
Franz Welser-Möst
as Conductor
