Editorial Review:

Amazon.com:
Musically, this is a quite satisfactory Traviata. Visually and sonically, it has a few small problems (pre-digital sound, imperfect tape splices, moments of imprecise lip-synchronization), but it can be recommended for those who enjoy less-than-perfect historic recordings. Anna Moffo was an endearing Violetta, and her identification with the role is lovingly captured by director Mario Lanfranchi, who was her husband, with charming close-ups and detailed attention to her body language. Giuseppe Patane was one of the best Italian opera conductors of his generation, and he treats Verdi's masterpiece with stylistic sensitivity allied to technical expertise. Franco Bonisolli is visually and vocally just right for the role of the impetuous Alfredo and Gino Bechi gives a properly stern portrayal of his insecure, bourgeois father. --Joe McLellan

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• Donizetti - Anna Bolena / Bonynge, Sutherland, Morris, Canadian Opera Company
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• Verdi - La Traviata
• Donizetti - L'Elisir d'Amore / Eschwe, Netrebko, Villazon, Wiener Staatsoper
• Mozart - Le Nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro)
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Rating: - Opinion
Anna Moffo is superb. The filming is excellent. However I prefer a production of a live performance on stage.

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Rating: - Moffo in her legendary role!
I must completely disagree with any disgruntled reviewers of this wonderful dvd performance of "La Traviata" starring the beautiful & talented Anna Moffo. The print and sound quality are excellent. So what if they are lip-synching! Many of us including myself were not even born yet when Moffo was in her prime and were unable to see her live performances. This is a terrific memento of the greatest American born soprano in her heyday. The acting and cast are all outstanding. 5 stars for Ms. Moffo's portrayal of Violetta. Pick it up and see for yourself.
Brava La Moffo!

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Rating: - Awful
I love La Traviata and adore Anna Moffo...but this was an awful "movie" to say the least. I baught this DVD under the impression that it was a live performance; however, it is in movie format with lip-syncing...and even that is horrible. Anna looks as if she is just speaking the words rather than singing them. The sound quality is that similar to a record player (scratchy and unclear at times). I was very much disappointed with the purchase of this DVD. You'd be better off simplying buying a CD recording of Anna Moffo's La Traviata because the acting is not that good either. Her Bel Telephone Hour video is much better...I would recomend that...it has a much better version of her La Traviata

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Rating: - A Classic Traviata Remembered
The film is old, and the cinematography dated; however, we are fortunate to have such a vibrant Violetta. Without such films, we become jaded by the stylized, and often leaden, performances of today. We also need a sense of history. This film gives us a point of departure from which we can understand other interpretations of the opera. Anna Moffo is clearly a more believable Violetta than we are likely to find today. Her looks are distinctive, fitting with the character, not like the emotionally barren performances of most sopranos these days.

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Rating: - Horrible technical quality, OK performance
It is very difficult to enjoy the music and singing with such a low sound quality. ... As for the film itself, it is much inferior to the 1976 Zeferelli/Stratas movie in all the respects: staging, acting, singing, and conducting. Lip-syncing is just awful. Patane's tempi are all too fast, and Verdi's moving masterpiece becomes too hasty. As if he was late for dinner that day, and wanted to finish faster. Moffo's acting is much inferior to Stratas', and voice wise Stratas is also more interesting, at least in this particular role. Of course, this might be just to my taste, but Stratas made me cry because of the sympathy to her heroine. Here, well, nice voice, beautiful woman, but not touching at all, as this opera is supposed to be. In sum, the only reason you may want to buy this DVD is, if you are such a die-hard Moffo fanatic that simply cannot miss any Moffo sighting. Even in this case I would suggest that you consider not endorsing the amateurish level DVD transfer by VAI with your hard earned dollar.