La Traviata

A moving story about a woman in love that features one of opera’s most famous melodies (the ‘Brindisi’ chorus), La Traviata is perfect for first-timers and a favourite among regular opera-goers. Antonello Manacorda and Giacomo Sagripanti conduct three starry casts headlined by Ermonela Jaho, Pretty Yende and Rachel Willis-Sørensen. In director Richard Eyre’s world of seductive grandeur, the tender and devastating beauty at the centre of Verdi’s opera shines bright.

At one of her lavish parties, the celebrated Parisian courtesan Violetta is introduced to Alfredo Germont. She has just returned to public life following a period of illness, and is touched by Alfredo’s concern. The two instantly fall in love, and Alfredo asks Violetta to join him in the countryside. Though hesitant to leave behind her life of luxury and freedom, she agrees, following her heart. After three months of living with Alfredo, Violetta, alone at the house, receives an unexpected visit from his father, Giorgio Germont, who persuades her to give up Alfredo to save the Germont family from scandal. Though heartbroken at the thought of leaving Alfredo, Violetta eventually agrees. Rather than return to his family home, Alfredo follows Violetta to Paris. But when he finds her with her former protector Baron Douphol, tensions erupt. With Violetta’s health increasingly fragile, will it be too late for Alfredo to make amends?