Audiences in Glasgow, Inverness, Aberdeen, and Edinburgh have the possibility to expertise a revival of world-renowned director Sir David McVicar’s (Il trittico 2023) treasured manufacturing of Giuseppe Verdi’s La traviata this summer time. Opening at Theatre Royal Glasgow on 8 May, this passionate staging started life at Scottish Opera in 2008 and has regularly been seen on the homes of co-producers Teatro Real Madrid, Gran Teatre del Liceu Barcelona, and Welsh National Opera. It brings the Company’s 61st Season to a luxurious shut.
Soprano Hye-Youn Lee performs Violetta – one among her signature roles – in Scotland for the primary time. Hye-Youn has appeared, to nice acclaim, in quite a few productions with the Company together with in 2023’s Carmen as Micaëla and within the title function of Daphne, Donna Anna in Don Giovanni in 2022, Madame Mao in 2019’s Nixon in China, and Mimi in 2017’s La bohème. La traviata is performed by Scottish Opera Music Director Stuart Stratford.
The first-rate forged is a high quality steadiness of worldwide stars and homegrown expertise, with the function of the courtesan’s lover Alfredo sung by Ji-Min Park in his Scottish Opera debut. He is joined by Phillip Rhodes (Carmen 2023) as Giorgio Germont, Nicholas Lester (Nixon in China 2019) as Baron Douphol, and Scottish Opera’s present Associate and Emerging Artists, Lea Shaw, Monwabisi Lindi and Ross Cumming.
Reviving the unique manufacturing is Director Leo Castaldi, with Andrew George as Choreographer and Sirena Tocco as Assistant Choreographer. Set through the Belle Époque, the luscious designs of this gripping Verdi tragedy are by Tanya McCallin with Lighting by Jennifer Tipton, revived right here by Robert B. Dickson.
Violetta Valéry lives on borrowed time. In the hedonistic social scene of late nineteenth century Paris, she squeezes every day for its joys earlier than her sickness catches up together with her. When the idealistic younger Alfredo provides real love, happiness appears attainable – however her previous has exacted a worth.
La traviata has impressed numerous retellings, together with cult favorite movies Pretty Woman and Moulin Rouge! Verdi’s iconic opera is without doubt one of the hottest on this planet, and with its host of well-known songs together with ‘Brindisi’ (‘The Drinking Song’), that includes a full refrain and dancers, and Violetta’s transferring aria ‘Sempre libera’ (‘Always free’), it is a perfect introduction to these not acquainted with the artform. McVicar’s manufacturing will get to the core of this story of doomed love, discovering a heartbreakingly human story within the midst of decadent excessive society.
Scottish Opera Music Director Stuart Stratford stated: ‘La traviata is as direct and shocking for us today as when it was premiered in 1853. Not concerned with gods or royalty, the story is about ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances. Verdi is at the height of his musical and dramatic powers, and has unparalleled control of his forces. He expertly crafts the details and plot of the story, but gives space for unforgettable arias and ensembles which seem frozen in dramatic time, and characterise this opera as being surely one of the greatest in the operatic canon.’
Those who want to uncover extra about how La traviata was created can attend Pre-show Talks, which delve into the element of the opera. Tickets are free however must be booked upfront. Audience members with a visible impairment can benefit from the full opera expertise at Audio-described performances, which have a stay commentary describing the motion on stage with out compromising the music. There are free Touch Tours of the set, and a stay audio introduction earlier than the beginning of the efficiency.
There are additionally two Access performances of La traviata, in Glasgow and Edinburgh, kindly supported by Scottish Opera’s Education Angels. With Dementia Friendly values at their core, these shortened performances are open to all. Performed by a full forged and orchestra, additionally they function a presenter to introduce the story, characters, and music. There are wheelchair areas and further workers readily available to assist. There can also be a smaller capability to permit everybody area, and brighter lighting ranges within the auditorium, giving the viewers the pliability and freedom to maneuver about as required.
Tickets for La traviata, which is supported by Scottish Opera’s ‘Play a Supporting Role’ Appeal, could be booked at www.scottishopera.org.uk/
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Creative crew
Conductor
Director
Revival Director
Designer
Lighting Director Jennifer Tipton
Revival Lighting
Choreographer
Assistant Choreographer
Cast
Violetta Valéry Hye-Youn Lee
Alfredo Germont
Giorgio Germont
Baron Douphol
Flora
Gastone
Marchese D’Obigny Ross Cumming**
Annina
Doctor Grenvil
*Scottish Opera Associate Artist 2023/24
** Scottish Opera Emerging Artist 2023/24
Performance diary
Theatre Royal Glasgow
8,10,14,16 & 18 May 2024, 7.15pm
12 May 2024, 3pm (Matinee)
Pre-show speak, 16 May, 6pm
Access Performance, 17 May, 3pm (Matinee)
Audio described efficiency, 18 May, 7.15pm (Touch Tour at 6pm)
Eden Court Inverness
23 & 25 May 2024, 7.15pm
Pre-show speak, 25 May, 6pm
Audio described efficiency, 25 May, 7.15pm (Touch Tour at 6pm)
His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen
30 May & 1 June 2024, 7.15pm
Pre-show speak, 1 June, 6pm
Audio described efficiency, 1 June, 7.15pm (Touch Tour at 6pm)
Festival Theatre Edinburgh
7,11,13 & 15 June 2024, 7.15pm
9 June 2024, 3pm (Matinee)
Pre-show speak, 13 June, 6pm
Access Performance, 14 June, 3pm (Matinee)
Audio described efficiency, 15 June, 7.15pm (Touch Tour at 6pm)
