Verdi: La Traviata

It's hard to resist such a starry cast, and Sutherland-Pavarotti fans will want this no matter what. Luciano's legions will find more to crow about, though, for he's in fine voice, creating an Alfredo to remember with his distinctive lyric tenor endowing the arias and even the recitatives with a bright sound and excellent diction that lets you understand every word. But Sutherland was a better Violetta in her first traversal of the role. By 1979, when this set was made, her impressive high notes remained intact, but the rest of the voice was showing wear, her diction was muffled, and dramatic values were underplayed. Manuguerra's a fine Germont and Bonynge's conducting is unsteady, tending to drag in the latter acts. This set will give pleasure to many, but do investigate those of Callas and de los Angeles on EMI and Cotrubas with Kleiber on DG, among others. --Dan Davis