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Rating: - Not what I expected.
I am not an opera fan and bought this because it is Verdi and Dmitri Hvorostovsky plays a lead. I enjoy Verdi and Hvorostovsky's singing and acting very much. It would have helped if I were more familiar with the content/story of the opera itself. There are surely those much more qualified than myself to provide more meaningful reviews of this DVD.

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Rating: - Well worth adding to your collection
For those who have, and are disappointed with the outdated audio and video quality of the highly edited Zeffirelli film version or feel that the Covent Garden version (while excellent in audio and video and a truly impressive performance from Angela Gheorghiu) is too bland and sterile, I recommend giving this DVD a chance. The audio and video on this disk are once again of a high order, and Patrizia Ciofi shows that apart from having an incredible voice, she is also a stunning actress who is not afraid to take chances with any role that comes her way. Indeed, the transformation that Miss Ciofi goes through in the last act is almost heart-breaking to watch. This is not some glamorized version which portrays Violetta Valery as an unfortunate fun-loving young lady who dies from consumption, but a `pulls no punches' story of a woman who sells her body for money at the start of the story and finds, and realizes what love means, when her life is slipping away.

Robert Carsen's updating of this work is generally successful, though I feel the middle section would have benefited from another interior setting instead of the exterior woodland one. The slightly raunchy cabaret setting in the night club works particularly well in contributing an up to date feel to what is often a prim and somewhat proper party episode. The orchestra under Lorin Maazel and supporting players, especially Dmitri Hvorostovsky all give credence to this being accepted as a quality alternative to other options that are available. Maybe this is not the first version of `La Traviata' that one should acquire, but if you want to see an opera devoid of the outdated trappings of yesteryear and get something that resonates with what is going on in the world today, this is it. It may not be perfect in all areas (there is a fast forward button to overcome that) but this version is well worth seeing and I would hate to be without a record of Patrizia Ciofi's rendering of this most tragic role.

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Rating: - best of show
In my view, there is only one rival to this set's claim to being best of show in DVD presentations of "Traviata," and that is the DGG set from the 2005 Salzburg production starring Anna Netrebko and Rolando Villazon. I discount the early '90's Covent Garden set with Ghiorghiu and Lopardo because there is no discernible chemistry between the protagonists and, despite the intelligent staging and Lopardo's accomplished vocalism, Ghiorghiu's otherwise lovely performance is marred by the fact she sings sharp at many of the key moments. In any event, aficionados of the opera on DVD should have both the Ciofi and the Netrebko performances. The Salzburg performance probably trumps this one in terms of sheer vocal brilliance: the combination of Nebrebko and Villzon is breathtaking. Willy Decker's staging, while ingenious, is nonetheless very 'high concept' and bloodless: it's hard to get a sense of the social milieu that makes Violetta's predicament so harrowing. The triumph of the Salzburg production, in other words, belongs to the star singers, and the singing is indeed incandescent, as is the sexual chemistry onstage between Netrebko and Villazon. But they are working pretty much in a fuschia-tinted vacuum. The set from La Fenice, on the other hand, boasts an extraordinarily inventive, richly detailed staging by Robert Carsen. The updating to a 1970's Studio 54 scene is probably not for all markets, but it is consistently (and beautifully) rendered and it provides the necessary, harrowing sense of context against which to measure the precariousness of Violetta's situation. As for the singers, Ciofi is no match for Netrebko in terms of vocal suavity: the sheer sound of Nebrebko's Violetta is a thing of wonder. But Ciofi, with a reedier and more agile instrument, is a far better actor and she is able to communicate the chiaroscuro emotions behind of vocal line of Verdi's score in a more nuanced and deeply moving way than Netrebko. I would not want to have to choose between the two performances -- not least because Ciofi's partner, Alfredo Sacca, while good, cannot match the febrile intensity and vocal glamour of Villazon. Still, if I had to choose, I'd go for Ciofi.

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Rating: - A 5-star Traviata
La Traviata is one of the most performed and loved operas, and with such demand it is hard to update the story to a believable setting. Robert Carsen was able to set the story successfully in a contemporary world that mixes simplicity and complexity to express deep emotions rooted in love. Patrizia Ciofi in the title role proves to be a convincing Violetta in her stage presence and singing. Memorable are her Sempre Libera and final scenes. As Germont, Dmitri Hvorostovsky is a highlight of the production. His portrayal is convincing and his voice suited for the role. The Alfredo of Roberto Sacca is committed to the role, but vocally he is the weakest in the cast. Lorin Maazel conducts with passion and brings out the best of the orchestra and coro of Teatro La Fenice. For those who love opera and are attracted to new takes of traditional stories this DVD is a must have.

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Rating: - My deepest condolences to...
...Ciofi, Hvorostovsky, Sacca, and Maazel. Was it for productions such as this 'nightclub' TRAVIATA that La Fenice was rebuilt? I won't waste your time listing the sleazy details of a modern-dress production that displays more flesh than dress. If you insist on an updated staging, get the Salzburg production (2005), far more elegant and stylish than this vulgar interpretation. No stars.