La Traviata Audiobook By Thomson Smillie cover art

La Traviata

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La Traviata

By: Thomson Smillie
Narrated by: David Timson
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La Traviata owes its enduring popularity to a superb story of young love and fatal sacrifice, set to music by Italy’s master melodist at the peak of his powers. Interest and poignancy are added by the fact that this is a true story - the baritone ‘heavy’ is Alexander Dumas who wrote The Count of Monte Cristo. But it is the central figure, the heroine Violetta, the archetypal ‘whore with the heart of gold’ who dominates the piece. It is her opera and we love her for it.

A superb ‘human interest’ story, a captivating cast of characters, and music which is both enchanting and insightful: just some of La Traviata’s ingredients explaining its enduring popularity. The characters are outlined with Smillie’s reliable blend of insight and originality: "Violetta, we must accept, is the proverbial Whore with the Heart of Gold, and this ravishing melody goes a long way towards melting the said heart." David Timson narrates throughout.

Download the accompanying reference guide.©2002 Naxos AudioBooks (P)2002 Naxos AudioBooks Music Opera

Editorial reviews

If ever you thought you’d like to give opera a listen but it just seems too impenetrable, this is your chance to give it a go. Opera scholar and writer Thomas Smillie has put together a wonderfully approachable series titled, Opera Explained. In this edition, performed enthusiastically by the veteran, David Timson, Smillie explains the enduring story of romance and sacrifice from the Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi. Combining entertaining insight with beautiful renditions of Verdi’s opera, Smillie makes Verdi’s La Traviata accessible to listeners from all backgrounds.
All stars
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Perfectly adequate examination of Verdi's opera "La Traviata" for any layperson. I highly recommend it.

Superb Synopsis

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This series is great for learning about an opera, in this case the Verdi classic. I listened to this before I attended a live performance and it helped immeasurably. The narration is wonderful and there's a lot of humor as well.

interesting and educational look at the opera

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