Becoming Traviata: A film by Philippe Béziat from Verdi's Opera

the film is as much about how our relationship to this most famous opera changes with each encounter as it is about the process by which [Dessay] assumes the central role...Some will accuse Béziat... — BBC Music Magazine, August 2014 More…

Release Date: 7th Jul 2014
Catalogue No: AXM675
Label: Axiom Films

BBC Music Magazine Awards

2015

DVD Award Winner
BBC Music Magazine

August 2014

Opera Choice

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Verdi: La Traviata (excerpts)

Natalie Dessay (Violetta), Charles Castronovo (Alfredo), Ludovic Tézier (Germont), Jean-François Sivadier (director)
London Symphony Orchestra
Louis Langrée

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An intimate and fascinating documentary that invites you to go behind the curtains of one of the world s greatest operas, Verdi s masterpiece, La Traviata. Director Philippe Béziat offers a rare glimpse into the creative process of renowned singers and musicians as they collaborate to produce a contemporary re-telling of this classic opera at the prestigious Festival d Aix-en-Provence in France.

French theatre/opera director Jean-François Sivadier and celebrated Met Opera soprano Natalie Dessay work side by side to tirelessly craft and mould, with perfect precision, Verdi s heroine, Violetta. Dessay s metamorphosis is truly mesmerising. Other collaborators include the London Symphony Orchestra musicians, under the direction of Louis Langrée, Estonian Philharmonic Choir singers, performers, lighting technicians and set designers who work in unison to bring to life one magnificent artistic expression.

Reviews

August 2014

the film is as much about how our relationship to this most famous opera changes with each encounter as it is about the process by which [Dessay] assumes the central role...Some will accuse Béziat of pretention; but I've yet to see a film that better conveys the extraordinary collective discipline and attentiveness behind a great performance.

New York Times 14th May 2013

Sivadier’s idea, radical only in the context of grand opera, is to strip down “La Traviata” — just one chandelier! — removing the fusty layers that obscure its emotional truths. Those truths are what he and Ms. Dessay work so hard to get at. If these rehearsals are any evidence, they made excellent headway.

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Becoming Traviata

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