“A true Violetta Valery after quite some time”: Diana Alexe outstanding Violetta in Cluj-Napoca

Two endless standing ovations crowned the two performance of La Traviata at the Opera Națională Română of Cluj-Napoca starring Diana Alexe as guest star.

Alexe performed the role in which Virginia Zeani - whose 100th Anniversary the opera world is celebrating - triumphed on the Cluj stage in 1965, being praised by critics as “a true Violetta Valery after quite some time”.

Here the review by Tudor Sicomas on Republika Kritika:

“From the point of view of the cast, the November 2nd performance featured distinguished soloists, part of the house ensemble, led by the guest star of the evening – the Romanian soprano Diana Alexe, invited for two consecutive performances of this Verdi title. I must admit that the presence of this internationally renowned artist was the main reason I was in the audience. Although I did not know her before, Diana Alexe managed to impress me deeply, and I can say with absolute sincerity that I had the joy and privilege, after quite some time, to witness a true Violetta Valéry, both vocally and dramatically.

Her voice reminded me of those great sopranos of the past, combining perfect technique with natural qualities that revealed a special radiance in a full, rounded tone, on its way toward a beautiful maturity. What I particularly appreciated was the ease with which Diana Alexe approached this role, succeeding in portraying all three registers that Verdi dedicated to this complex character – the coloratura of the first act, the drama of the second, and the lyricism of the final one.

A splendid ‘E strano, e strano…’ delivered with great delicacy and sensitivity, followed by a ‘Follie, follie’ cabaletta full of color and youthful ardor, formed a hypnotic closing of the first act. Then, the impeccable phrasing during the duet with Germont, the expressive strength of the dramatic Amami, Alfredo, and the refinement of the lines in the second act’s finale continued to highlight the indisputable vocal qualities of Diana Alexe. Finally, the well-measured interpretation of the letter scene ‘Teneste la promessa’, followed by a heartbreaking vocal and dramatic interpretation of the superb aria ‘Addio del passato’—in which one could feel all the suffering of the woman in love, ill, and abandoned—culminated with the final lines, forming a beautiful artistic crown for an evening in which the young and very talented Romanian soprano performed exemplarily, both musically and scenically”.

Alexe is set to perform the role of Violetta Valery this season at the Finnish National Opera and at the Teatro Petruzzelli di Bari.