Come and celebrate the return of opera to the Grand Opera House Belfast in September 2022.
Join us as we present a brand-new production of the well-loved and cherished ‘La Traviata’ by Giuseppe Verdi.
‘La Traviata’ tells the story of the tragic love between the courtesan Violetta Valéry and the romantic Alfredo Germont. Falling hopelessly in love the two leave the dizzying heights of Paris society for the country. Their love affair threatens to shame Alfredo’s family name. His father confronts Violetta to try to get her to leave Alfredo, to save his family name and the reputation of his sister. In an act of self-sacrifice Violetta agrees to leave her one true love and ends up paying the ultimate price.
This stunning new production is sure to delight and move audiences of all ages. It is perfect for anyone looking to dip their toe in and try out a new experience by attending an opera and it will be treasured by those who are already opera fans.
Northern Ireland Opera is delighted to engage with the Ulster Orchestra in bringing to life this masterpiece. Let us welcome you back to the beautifully refurbished Grand Opera in September for a night at the opera!
More about ‘La Traviata’
This opera is closely based on the real life lover of the novelist Alexandre Dumas, Marie Duplessis (1824-1874). Alexandre Dumas wrote the highly popular novel ‘La Dame aux Camélias’ 1852 (The Lady with the Camelias) and then adapted his novel into an enduring stage play. Almost immediately, composer Giuseppe Verdi started to set this text to music and his nineteenth opera was premiered in Le Fenice in Venice in 1853. Originally the opera was called ‘Violetta’ after the title of the main character, but the more evocative title of ‘La Traviata’ has stood the test of time. This opera is one of the most performed operas from all the operatic canon.
Performed in Italian with English surtitles.
REVIEWS
The Observer: ‘***** ‘NI Opera’s excellent new Verdi production went straight to the heart’
Opera Magazine: ‘Northern Ireland Opera’s La traviata suggests that the artistic director Cameron Menzies has at long last realised the region’s ambition to have a grand opera company truly deserving of the name.’
Bachtrack: ‘Brilliant leads make for a moving Traviata at Northern Ireland Opera’
London Unattached: ‘Siobhan Stagg Shines as Violetta’
The Irish News: ‘NI Opera’s dazzling production, full of emotion and relevance’
Hear what our community audience had to say about Cameron Menzies’s production of ‘La Traviata’
Read an interview with Director Cameron Menzies about the production of ‘La Traviata’ in the Golden Plec: click here
Photo Credits: Headline images – Noah Stewart and Siobhan Stagg in The Merchant Hotel: Ste Murray. Grand Opera House image: Lost Lens Caps
Outreach Week
Every year as part of our main stage production in the Grand Opera House we run a series of free events during the first week of our residency where local youth, school and community groups can take part in workshops, ‘Come and Sing’ events, talks, lunchtime concerts and our open dress rehearsal. Watch our highlights video to see more.
Outreach Week Events: Highlights and Feedback
Meet the NI Opera ‘La Traviata’ Chorus
Following an open auditions process, 24 opera singers have been selected to perform in the chorus for ‘La Traviata’. These artists join NI Opera’s new chorus development programme and are already accessing training and support from regular and guest coaches, including Tristan Russcher, Matthew Quinn, Matthew Owens, Isabel Baquero (Choreographer) and Thomas Johnson, (Music Staff at Staatsoper Unter den Linden).
The chorus are working on a variety of choruses across different musical periods as well as their main focus of learning ‘La Traviata’ ready for September’s production in the Grand Opera House.
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- Sopranos
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- Mezzo-Sopranos
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- Tenors
Siobhan Stagg in her role debut as Violetta. Photo credit Philip Magowan, Press Eye. Click here to see more images
Image Gallery
Bachtrack
'Brilliant leads make for a moving Traviata at Northern Ireland Opera'