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Opera Australia: La Traviata
4 January @ 7:30 pm - 10:00 pm AEDT
Three new productions signal the company’s new direction. Sarah Giles’ lightly updated staging of La traviata places an intense focus on the reality of Violetta’s circumstances while retaining the glamour. Conductor Jessica Cottis makes her Opera Australia debut with Samantha Clarke starring alongside Kang Wang as Alfredo and New Zealand baritone Phillip Rhodes as his father. Dane Lam conducts Gluck’s Orpheus & Eurydice in an acrobatics-infused staging by Circa’s Yaron Lifschitz. French countertenor Christophe Dumaux and Australian soprano Cathy-Di Zhang are the doomed lovers. Finally, there’s a new family-friendly Magic Flute, sung in English and directed by Kate Gaul with Stacey Alleaume as Pamina and musical theatre star Ben Mingay as Papageno. (See page 60.)
Limelight Editor’s Choice
Violetta is a coveted courtesan, the toast of Paris, desired by many. When she meets the ardent Alfredo, her life changes forever and she longs to break free of her past. But can she? Who is this woman beyond the sparkling salon? This fresh production of an opera classic invites new questions.
From the vivacious chorus of the famous ‘Brindisi’ to Violetta’s soaring ‘Sempre libera’ and the breathless notes at the opera’s tragic end, Verdi’s music for La Traviata is a thrilling, emotional experience.
This new production has been called “an absolute triumph” (The AU Review). Director Sarah Giles brings Violetta’s inner world centre stage in a glittering production that shows the heartache behind the glamour is but a heartbeat away.
Charles Davis’ set design highlights Violetta’s private turmoil, even in the midst of spectacular crowd scenes. His stunning gowns reflect the silhouettes of the Victorian era, with all the fun of 20th century couture.
This La Traviata brings home Australians currently dazzling on the international stage. Conductor Jessica Cottis makes her Opera Australia debut with an exciting cast. Soprano Samantha Clarke will make her Sydney Opera House debut reprising the title role, tenor Kang Wang is back to thrill Australian audiences as Alfredo and New Zealand baritone Phillip Rhodes makes his Opera Australia debut as Giorgio Germont.
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