Drama, profound emotion and wonderful melodies combine in Verdi’s tragic opera of a Parisian courtesan who sacrifices all for love, vividly conveyed in Richard Eyre’s beloved staging… ‘A toast to the pleasures of life!’ – so sings Violetta Valéry (Russian soprano Venera Gimadieva), one of opera’s greatest heroines, her new admirer Alfredo (Saimir Pirgu) and her party guests in the opening scene. But beneath the surface glamour runs darker undercurrents.

The cinema broadcast is hosted by British writer and actor Simon Callow.