LA TRAVIATA

Chorus and Symphony of the USSR State

Shumskaya, Kozlovsky,

Lisitsian / Orlov

Also

Pavel Lisitsian: Verdi Arias

Another offering from the Russian Legacy presents a complete Traviata with the celebrated Ivan Kozlovsky as Alfredo, Yelizaveta Shumskaya as Violetta and Pavel Lisitsian as his father, the elder Germont. John Steane, the famed music critic, stated “as a Verdi singer, [Lisitsian] shows himself capable of some delicate and lovely touches and a two octave range that presents no weaknesses.” The musicologist Alan Jefferson stated that Shumskaya's performance of Violetta is “a cut above normal…. There is little trace of vibrato, and she gives the impression of living the character whole-heartedly. Her performance in ‘Parigi, o cara’ with Kozlovsky is a lovely study in thoughtful musicianship. Their voices blend beautifully, and there is not even a hint of shrillness.” However, Kozlovsky is the real star here - his Alfredo, possesses an individuality of expression that stems from an era long gone by. His lyricism, his imaginative touches make memorable everything he sings. The second CD is filled out with Lisitsian singing arias from various Verdi operas. The set includes booklet notes by Larry Friedman.