La Traviata

Grand Theatre, Leeds

NO DOUBT encouraged by the fact that its recent production of La Bohème attracted a substantial new audience, Opera North will be hoping the equally popular La Traviata does the same.

On this showing I think it should, and there was certainly a full house the night I went.

It’s not surprising as the theme of the doomed courtesan finding true love, being forced to reject it and finally dying in her lover’s arms is most powerfully presented in Verdi’s adaptation of the story which also includes some of his most moving and beautiful music.

This new production was rather emphatic in presenting some of the issues, with the opening prelude playing before a microscopic image of bacteria and diseased lungs, a ball scene more like a bordello and a mysterious and, I thought, more questionable tableau of masked figures behind a screen who silently applauded Violetta’s death.

More important for the devotee and newcomer alike was that the story was clearly presented with some splendid singing and acting from soloists and chorus.

Hye-Youn Lee as Violetta and Ji-Min Lee as Alfredo was well matched and in good voice, with Roland Wood particularly strong as Alfredo’s father.

The chorus, whether cavorting, dancing or gambling was consistently good, and the orchestra under conductor Gianluca Marcianò were always expressive.

The production continues in repertoire in Leeds until November 1 (box office 08448 482700) and at the Theatre Royal, Newcastle on November 12 and 14 (08448 112121)

Peter Bevan