La traviata

2013
Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House

La traviata tells the famous story of how the beautiful but vulnerable courtesan Violetta is coerced into sacrificing her one hope of personal happiness for the sake of her lover’s reputation.

Set in Paris in the mid-19th century it is one of the most subtle and passionate of tragic operas in the repertoire.  

It presents fascinating characters and potent, moving and instantly recognisable melodies.

For emotion alone it is justifiably one of the most popular operas of all time.

Director Elijah Moshinsky’s compelling production gets to the heart of the opera’s themes of love and death with pathos and power.

The organic structure and melodic beauty of the score achieves aching tenderness and fragility when Alfredo embraces the dying Violetta, and she sings, ‘Gran Dio! Morir si giovine’: (‘O God, to die so young’).

Starring the radiant Emma Matthews as Violetta, exciting Polish tenor Arnold Rutkowski, who hands over the role of Alfredo to rising Australian tenor Martin Buckingham later in the season, and the outstanding baritone José Carbó as Giorgio, affirms the intimacy and grandeur of vintage opera. Komische Oper’s music director Patrick Lange conducts. 

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