Virginia Zeani-Violetta supreme- La Traviata Act III Finale Part 1 Metropolitan Opera New York

VIrginia Zeani as Violetta in Act !!! of La Traviata with Bruno Prevedi as Alfredo, Robert Merrill as Germont Pere. conducted by Georges Pretre, Metropolitan Opera New York 1966.
Although this was Zeani"s Metropolitan debut she was given no orchestral rehearsals, even though the conductor was new to her. She was also suffering from bronchitis. Despite these setbacks, In her indomitable way she turned disaster into considerable personal triumph, receiving a five minute ovation after the "Addio".
The ensemble singing is clearly under-rehearsed and it is plain that the singers cannot always hear the orchestra for they all have problems with intonation. The conducting is unhelpful but, to compensate, the prompter is in fine voice.

[@corellithebest]

In spite of all the problems associated with this performance (insufficient rehearsals, conducting, etc.) I think the performances of two principal protagonists (Virginia Zeani, Bruno Prevedi) were at the high artistic level. They both gave extremely passionate and inspired interpretations. Especially given the fact that Zeani was ill at the time.

[@corellithebest]

On the other hand, it surprises me that Pretre didn't prove himself very helpful to the singers, especially because I got the impression that, as I understood, Callas liked to cooperate with him. The fact that they (Zeani, Prevedi, Merrill) performed in difficult conditions only increases their personal merits. In my opinion, they both performed here with true artistry. (I haven't heard Merrill much here, it takes Act II to judge him better, but I know he was an excellent baritone as well.)