Opera in three acts (1853)
Richard Eyre’s time-honoured production of Verdi’s masterpiece recently celebrated 25 years on the Royal Opera House stage.
The most-performed opera in the world, the story follows a courtesan Violetta Valéry (here luminous soprano Pretty Yende) who sacrifices all for love. Verdi’s beautiful score contains some of his most inspired arias and duets, including Violetta’s joyous ‘Sempre libera’ and her poignant and passionate encounters with Alfredo (American tenor Stephen Costello) and Germont (Dimitri Platanias). The superficial glamour of 19th-century Paris contrasts with scenes of great intimacy, culminating in the memorable, heart- breaking final act. Giacomo Sagripanti conducts.
