Maggie's Farm

I'm going to speak some heresy here, but I find her voice horribly harsh for a lyric soprano. Admittedly, from a technique standpoint, she is clearly brilliant. I'm speaking more of the tone and tenor of her voice.

I think part of it is that she isn't a typical operatic soprano - she's novel in that aspect and that's why she attracts acclaim. Which is fine - just not my cuppa if you will.

Interesting factoid about La traviata - it was adapted from Alexander Duma's novel La Dame aux camélias or The Lady of The Camellias. "La traviata" or The Fallen Woman (alternatively "The Woman Who Strayed. It was originally entitled Violetta, after the main character.

Verdi was a rather interesting character not so much for any shenanigans but for the times he lived in. At one point Verdi's operas were interpreted as Risorgimento (recolutionary) works riddled with hidden messages. At one point even his name became a political football - Viva (V)ittorio (E)manuele (R)e (D)'(I)talia or Viva Victor Emmanuel King of Italy.

He wrote some of the more memorable operatic songs - "La donna è mobile" - Rigoletto, "Va, pensiero" - Nabucco, "Libiamo ne' lieti calici" - La traviata and the "Grand March" from Aida. Look 'em up on Youtube - they are instantly recognizable.