Added: Jul 26, 2008
From: CharlotteinWeimar
Duration: 8:22
Virginia Zeani gave this thrilling, daring performance in 1960 when she was called up by Covent Garden as a last minute replacement for the indisposed Joan Sutherland. Having failed to cover Sutherland's first Lucia, the BBC planned well in advance to transmit a live, international broadcast of one of her first Traviatas, but she had a heavy cold and had to cancel, Zeani was tracked down in Vienna and after a sleepless night flew to London, arriving at the Royal Opera House at 4pm. This was her Covent Garden debut, but there was only just enough time for costume fittings and no time at all for any music rehearsal. She walked onto the stage at 7pm and had to ask "Which one is my Alfredo?" She was then introduced to the Scottish tenor William McAlpine.In Act 2 Scene 2 Violetta has returned to her former lover Baron Duphol. Alfredo, having discovered Flora's invitation, reaches the party just before Violetta arrives. He gambles recklessly and wins. After forcing Violetta to say that she loves the Baron, in front of all the guests he denounces her and throws his winnings at her feet.
Channel: Music
Tags: aux callas camelias dame italian la mcalpine opea sopranos verdi william zeani
Rating: 5.00 (3 ratings) Views: 134' favoriteCount='1 Comments: 0