La Traviata with Netrebko, Saccà and Gavanelli made for a truly festive evening of opera. Roberto Saccà is her absolute equal as one of Munich’s best ever Alfredos, and Paolo Gavanelli was the grand seigneur of baritones. Such evenings are memorable, and in the hands of such artists, opera will surely continue to thrive.

Alongside Netrebko as Alfredo was the radiantly projecting tenor voice of Roberto Saccà.

The courting lovers are magnificently cast, with an irresistible Patrizia Ciofi as Lauretta, and a dream Rinuccio from Roberto Saccà. Bravo!

Roberto Saccà sang a nuanced and sonorous Rodolfo, with beautiful top Cs. A justly celebrated Bohème!

The casting was world-class, and Roberto Saccà was in very fine voice as Rodolfo.

One can sense Roberto Saccà’s strong connection to Tamino. The feelings and utterances of this prince are entirely believable. Roberto Saccà is not only a good-looking Tamino, he also sings stylistic Mozart.

Roberto Saccà, however, was absolutely convincing as Alfredo. His voice has developed in the middle register and gained considerable focus. His interpretation portrays less of a doting wimp than a man of strength and youthful élan. A true belcanto Alfredo, with all the lyricism and colour, but also the drama of the Ball Scene, that is necessary in this role.

The 1900-strong audience in the packed Gewandhaus was particularly enraptured by the three duets with the Italian lyric tenor Roberto Saccà.