To mark the closure of this 61st season of Scottish Opera (SO), audiences in Glasgow, Inverness, Aberdeen, and Edinburgh have the chance to experience a revival of world-renowned director Sir David McVicar’s production of Giuseppe Verdi’s La traviata. Opening at Theatre Royal Glasgow on 8th May, this staging began life at SO in 2008 and has since been seen in the Teatro Real Madrid, Gran Teatre del Liceu Barcelona and Welsh National Opera.
Soprano Hye-Youn Lee, who has appeared to great acclaim in numerous productions with the SO, performs Violetta in Scotland for the first time when the conductor will be SO Music Director, Stuart Stratford.
The cast is a fine balance of international stars and homegrown talent, with the role of the courtesan’s lover Alfredo sung by Ji-Min Park in his SO debut. He is joined by Phillip Rhodes as Giorgio Germont, Nicholas Lester as Baron Douphol, and SO’s current Associate and Emerging Artists, Lea Shaw, Monwabisi Lindi and Ross Cumming.
Verdi’s iconic opera is one of the most popular in the world, having inspired countless retellings and with its host of famous songs including ‘Brindisi,’ featuring a full chorus and dancers, and Violetta’s moving aria ‘Sempre libera,’ it is an ideal introduction to those not familiar with the artform. McVicar’s production gets to the core of this tale of doomed love, finding a heartbreakingly human story in the midst of decadent high society.
SO Music Director Stuart Stratford said “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 wish to discover more about how La traviata was created can attend Pre-show Talks, that delve into the detail of the opera. Tickets are free but should be booked in advance. Audience members with a visual impairment can enjoy the full opera experience at Audio-described performances, which have a live commentary describing the action on stage without compromising the music. There are free Touch Tours of the set, and a live audio introduction before the start of the performance.
There are also two Access performances of La traviata, in Glasgow and Edinburgh, supported by SO’s Education Angels. With Dementia Friendly values at their core, these shortened performances are open to all. Performed by a full cast and orchestra, they also feature a presenter to introduce the story, characters, and music. There are wheelchair spaces and extra staff on hand to help. There is also a smaller capacity to allow everyone space, and brighter lighting levels in the auditorium, giving the audience the flexibility and freedom to move about as required.
Tickets can be booked at www.scottishopera.org.uk/shows/la-traviata/
Irene Brown
Radio Summerhall Arts 