Verdi

La Traviata

Galvany, Gibbs, Elvira; 1974

Regular price $17.95
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La Traviata

The greatest joy in having this site is the opportunity to present singers who left next to nothing in the way of commercial recordings but were nonetheless brilliant. Marisa Galvany is one such example. Galvany was truly unique in her ability to navigate the most florid passages complete with stratospheric high notes with a dramatic soprano's voice that seemed as if it would be equally comfortable in Wagner. Her "Sempre libera" is truly a force of nature (see the clip below.) She is joined by Raymond Gibbs as Alfredo and Pablo Elvira as Germont.

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4.5 Based on 2 reviews
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David R.✓ Top Reviewer

United States

Overall rating

Excellent Traviata in Good Sound!

Marisa Galvany's darker, rather mezzo-tinted sound might not seem like a match for Violetta, yet through her use of vocal color she makes it work. She certainly has no trouble with high notes. Predictably she ends "Sempre libera" with a terrific E-flat and tosses off the rest of the coloratura effortlessly. I was a little disappointed that conductor Mario Bernardi didn't allow her to end the gambling scene on another interpolated E-flat. Ultimately, Galvany isn't as moving a Violetta as others I've heard. She lacks the vulnerability the part needs nor is she as specific in some of her choices as other Violettas are. Perhaps I would enjoy her interpretation more if I'd seen it. Be that as it may I'm glad to have heard her as Verdi's tragic heroine; Galvany is uniquely her own person.Gibbs is a very good Alfredo, the kind of singer who tends to be taken for granted because he's always good. Elvira sings Germont beautifully. His warm, manly baritone is always a pleasure to hear. The rest of the cast is excellent. Bernardi leads an effective performance though I wish he wouldn't have indulged in all of the standard cuts.The sound is from a very good in-house tape, the voices only slightly recessed and nearly always audible over the orchestra. Fans of the three principals will definitely want this.
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Ken✓ Verified Buyer
Overall rating

Ken

…. love the irony in “sempre libera” … thank you for the sample.
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