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10, 13, 15, 17 September 2022

La Traviata

Giuseppe Verdi

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’

Seen and Heard International: ‘Another great production by Northern Ireland Opera which deserves to be seen more widely.’

The Stage: **** ‘Joyous’

The Irish News: ‘NI Opera’s dazzling production, full of emotion and relevance’

Theatre News: ‘A vibrant, colourful and moving ensemble performance from the still young but precocious Northern Ireland Opera team.’

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.

Bachtrack

'Brilliant leads make for a moving Traviata at Northern Ireland Opera'

Review

'...this Traviata was deftly cast, impressively sung, perceptively conceived and direct in impact.'

The Observer: Five Star Review

Cast

Violetta Valéry
Siobhan Stagg

Alfredo Germont
Noah Stewart

Giorgio Germont
Yuriy Yurchuk

Flora Bervoix
Margaret Bridge

Annina
Ellen Mawhinney

Baron Douphol
Brendan Collins

Dottore Grenvil
Graeme Danby

Gastone de Letorières
Owen Lucas

Marchese
Connor Campbell

Commissario
Ryan Garnham

Domestico di Flora
Paul McQuillan

Giuseppe, servo di Violetta
Gabriel Seawright

Dance Captain
Doni Fierro

Dancer
Adam Ashford

Dancer
Clara Kerr

Dancer
Anna McCoy

Dancer
Sean O'Neill

Dancer
Joia Raychoudhury

Creative Team

Director
Cameron Menzies

Conductor
Rebecca Lang

Choreographer
Isabel Baquero

Set Designer
Niall McKeever

Lighting Designer
Kevin Treacy

Assistant to the Conductor and Deputy Chorus Master
Matthew Quinn

Repetiteur
Frasier Hickland

Gown Designer for 'Violetta' and 'Flora'
Linda Britten

Hair and Make Up Designer
Nuala Campbell

Hair Assistant
Sophie Watson

Costume Supervisor
Jeannette Tumelty

Production Manager
Pádraig Ó Duinnin

Company Stage Manager
Kate Watkins

Deputy Stage Manager
Vicki Mackenzie

Assistant Stage Manager
Zoë Jackson