Professional opera companies perform Giuseppe Verdi's La Traviata more than any other opera. The title role is a touchstone role for a soprano, and the last one hundred years of recordings features almost all of the sopranos whose voice fit the role giving their version of it.
Beverly Sills was no exception, and this week we have a 1979 recording of highlights of her Violetta. The tenor is Nicolai Gedda, with his impeccable diction, vocal line and thrilling high notes as her lover Alfredo, and baritone Rolando Panerai as his meddlesome father. Panerai was a regular at almost every major house from the 1950's to the early 1980's, but never sang at the Metropolitan Opera. He was an excellent Germont, but was best known for comedy and was still performing Gianni Schicci at the age of 87.
Aldo Cecatto conducts, with the John Aldis Choir and the Royal Philaharmonic Orchestra.
