Verdi

La traviata

10 October - 2 November

Glamour, passion and heart-break fill this timeless classic.

Parisian party girl Violetta is determined to leave her scandalous past behind her. She seizes the chance for a new life with the adoring young Alfredo, but when his disapproving father appears, Violetta is forced to make an impossible choice between duty and desire.

From buzzing crowd scenes to beautiful solo moments, this is an emotional rollercoaster that will thrill you one minute, and move you to tears the next.

A revival of the Festival 2014 production. Sung in Italian with English supertitles.


Creative team

Conductor
Adam Hickox

Director
Tom Cairns

Revival Director
Laura Attridge

Set & Costume Designer
Hildegard Bechtler

Choreographer
Aletta Collins

Revival Choreographer
Emily Piercy

Lighting Designer
Peter Mumford

The Glyndebourne Sinfonia
Leader Richard Milone

The Glyndebourne Chorus
Chorus Director Aidan Oliver

Assistant Conductor
Ashley Beauchamp

Music Preparation
Kate Golla
Ben-San Lau
Harry Rylance

Language Coaches
Caterina Galiotto
Alessandra Testai

Assistant Directors
Rebecca Marine
Rachel Wise

Fight Consultant
Mark Ruddick

Cast includes

Violetta Valéry
Elisa Verzier

Flora Bervoix
Esme Bronwen-Smith

Marchese D’Obigny
John Mackenzie-Lavansch

Baron Douphol
Adam Marsden

Doctor Grenvil
Alexander Vassiliev

Gastone
Alexander Sprague

Alfredo Germont
Matteo Desole
Andrés Agudelo (26, 28, 31 October &  2 November)

Annina
Georgia Mae Ellis

Giuseppe
George Curnow*+

Giorgio Germont
Christian Federici

Messenger
Charles Cunliffe*

Flora’s Servant
George Reynolds*

Dancers
Natasha Chu
Chloe Dowell
Jess Hull
Marta Nafria
Karishma Young

Actor
Anna-Marie Sullivan

* Soloist from The Glyndebourne Chorus
+ Jerwood Young Artist 2024

Photos: Richard Hubert Smith

Synopsis

Act I

At a party she is hosting, the courtesan Violetta Valéry is introduced to young Alfredo Germont. Violetta suddenly feels ill but assures her guests that she is fine. Alfredo, left alone with Violetta, confesses that he has loved her from afar for a year. She initially dismisses him, but is touched by his sincerity. After Alfredo and the other party guests leave, Violetta reflects on her feelings for him and on what life would be like if she accepted his love. But she cuts short her fantasy and rededicates herself to the pursuit of pleasure.

Synopsis

Act II

Scene I

For three months, Violetta and Alfredo have been living together in the country. Alfredo learns that Violetta has been selling her possessions in order to pay their expenses, so he leaves for Paris to make other financial arrangements. Germont, Alfredo’s father, unexpectedly visits, demanding that Violetta leave Alfredo so that his sister’s impending marriage will not be threatened by scandal. Violetta first objects but finally, in spite of her love for Alfredo, promises to renounce him forever. She writes Alfredo a letter ending their relationship, but before she can depart, Alfredo returns and is confused by her agitated state. After Violetta leaves, he reads her letter. Germont returns and tries to comfort his son, but Alfredo decides to confront Violetta.

Scene II

At a soiree given by Violetta’s friend Flora Bervoix, the guests are surprised by Alfredo’s arrival. Violetta soon appears with Baron Douphol, her new lover. Alfredo gambles with the gentlemen, pretending not to notice Violetta, who is alarmed by his belligerent behaviour. Fearing for his safety, Violetta begs Alfredo to leave, but he demands that she leave with him. When Violetta refuses, Alfredo summons the other guests and publicly humiliates Violetta. Germont arrives and denounces his son’s behaviour. The Baron challenges Alfredo to a duel.

Synopsis

Act III

Violetta is now gravely ill, and Doctor Grenvil confides to Annina, her servant, that Violetta will not live much longer. Violetta rereads a letter from Germont informing her that Alfredo fled after wounding the Baron in the duel, but that he now knows of her sacrifice and is hurrying to her side. Alfredo arrives, begging Violetta’s forgiveness. The lovers dream of resuming their life together, but fate intervenes.


Performance timings

Dates: 10, 13, 15, 18, 20, 23, 26, 28, 31 October & 2 November.

Grounds open: 2.00pm
Opera starts: 4.00pm
Interval (20 mins): 5.15pm
Opera resumes: 5.35pm
Opera ends: 6.35pm

For recommended trains and coach timings visit our how to get here page.


With special thanks to Dunard Fund for their support of the Autumn season

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