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Title: Gheorghiu ain't no Anna Moffo
Review: After Anna Moffo, Angela Gheorghiu is one cold and regal Violetta. The contrast is jarring. This is a good production but visually too minimalist for me. Solti and the orchestra acquit themselves brilliantly. But Ms. Gheorghiu is so formal and regal, and so cold, that I almost wish I had not bought this DVD, even with the added attraction of the highlights CD. Alfredo is superb, with a resonant voice; Ms. Gheorghiu also has a strong and accurate instrument. The sound overall is very good. But I am spoiled by Anna Moffo. She is so feminine and spontaneous, unaffected and passionate. She could be Violetta - she simply does not seem to be acting. Ms. Gheorghiu, by contrast, is definitely playing a role in an opera. She lacks the emotional authenticity and vulnerability of Ms. Moffo. As she begins to sing "Sempre libera, it sounds like she spits out the words, as if she were angry. It's puzzling. But Ms. Moffo sings her heart out, and she has won mine.
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