La Traviata

One of the world’s most popular operas comes to the North West this November, as Opera North brings its critically-acclaimed production of La traviata to The Lowry.

Unusually for Opera North, they are offering La Traviata for three consecutive nights, with multiple casts this week at The Lowry, Salford. With the impressive power this production presents, and with its themes of love, death and regret, you can see why.

Indeed, there is a good reason why La Traviata is one of the most popular operas of all time and considered to be a a gateway to opera as a genre for many.

This revival of their 2014 production, directed by Alessanro Talevi, was postponed because of the pandemic, and from the raucous opening chorus number to the phenomenal performances and costumes, you really are in for a treat. You can tell this has been a labour of love for a while. The production on the whole has sublime singing, impressive set, costumes and lighting and this all combined with new elements that adds the fresh perspective that we have come to expect from Opera North.

On the first night, Maire Flavin took the role of Violetta, the beguiling courtesan whose tragic fate lies at the heart of the story. Her portrayl was big, sensitive and passionate. She drew you in with her vocal control, from gliding through the lyrical lines, to impassioned cries of grief and loss, you really cared for her fate and felt a real sense of loss at the end. Máire is reported to love the scene in Act 2 with Père Germont, the father of Violetta’s lover Alfredo. Indeed, this is an emotional rollercoaster and ends with the incredible farewell to Alfredo and Maire performs it with perfection.

Other notable performances came from Oliver Johnston (Alrefdo Germont), particularly his portrayal of anguish as he learns the news that Violetta has severed their relationship and a very confident performance from Stephen Gadd (Giorgio Germont).

I was lucky to be in front of the conductor for the evening, Manoj Kamps. The passion they showed in their direction of the orchestra was a pleasure to witness and they displayed the sensitivity and passion required in order to bring out the lyrical lines and passionate themes of Verdi’s work. they brought out the finest sounds that we have come to expect from the Opera North orchestra.

Opera North continue with Traviata on the 16 th and 17 November, before moving onto the Greek Underworld and the Orpheus myth, with a concert production of Gluck’s Orpheus on the 18th and a staged work of Monteverdi’s Orfeo on Saturday 19th November.

Dean Thomas- Lowde for Canal St Media

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Published: 19-Nov-2022 (6908)