A 26-year-old Plácido Domingo is paired with the 34-year-old Patricia Brooks in this performance of Verdi’s La Traviata, giving the performance an interesting authenticity in that their actual ages nearly mirror the age difference between the characters. Domingo sings with his signature ardor, bringing an added lyrical sheen to Alfredo that would become more elusive as he ventured into heavier repertoire. Patricia Brooks perfectly conveys both the frailty and steely resolve of Violetta, dazzling equally in the florid and dramatic moments.