Today’s program documents the only time Joan Sutherland and Luciano Pavarotti performed La traviata together at the Met.  It is Pavarotti’s third complete performance with the company (he cancelled midway through his second, a La bohème in 1968), the first of the three times he sang Alfredo there, and the first time he sang with Sutherland in the house.  

Giuseppe Verdi: La traviata

Metropolitan Opera
Richard Bonynge, conductor
22 October 1970

In-house recording

Violetta – Joan Sutherland
Alfredo – Luciano Pavarotti
Germont – Sherrill Milnes
Flora – Frederica von Stade
Gastone – Leo Goeke
Baron Douphol – Raymond Gibbs
Marquis D’Obigny – Gene Boucher
Dr. Grenvil – Louis Sgarro
Annina – Loretta Di Franco
Giuseppe – Lou Marcella
Gardener – John Trehy