Memorable revival of La Traviata by Opera North

ALESSANDRO Talevi‘s production of Verdi’s La Traviata vividly evokes a sense of the decadent glamour of late 19th century Paris: a period retrospectively dubbed La Belle Époque. The production was premiered at Leeds Grand Theatre to mostly gushing reviews back in September 2014.

Talevi has removed some of the more provocative imagery from his original 2014 staging for this revival of the world’s most performed opera. The Johannesburg born director has banished blown-up images of diseased lungs, originally shown to remind us that the heroine, Violetta Valéry, is slowly dying from tuberculosis. Gone too are the sexed-up party scenes during Violetta’s celebrated Sempre Libera aria which closes the Act. The result is a sleeker, cleaner staging that helps to propel the action to its heart rending denouement.

The three principal roles have been double cast and there are two conductors to accommodate the seventeen performances in Leeds and on tour. Last Thursday’s first night was conducted by Jonathan Webb whose sensitivity to the dramatic pace and flow of the musical line was evident throughout. Webb sustained impeccable balance between the Orchestra of Opera North in the pit and the singers on stage. The Orchestra produced an extraordinary dynamic range and translucence of instrumental textures; admirably complemented in the big Act ll ensembles by the visceral force of the Opera North Chorus.

Alison Langer’s portrayal of the stricken Violetta ticked all the right boxes: from the seemingly carefree abandon of her Sempre Libera to the bleak despair of Addio del passato. I should have liked just a smidgeon more power in the anguished Act ll outpouring of Nico Darmanin’s ardent Alfredo at the news that Violetta has severed their relationship.

Damiarno Salerno gives a rounded portrayal as Giorgio Germont, Alfredo’s father. His finely nuanced Pura siccome un’angelo and Di Provenza, il mar resonated around this ornate auditorium. Among the excellent cameos, Gavan Ring’s Gastone, Victoria Sharp’s Flora, James Cleverton’s Baron Douphol and Matthew Stiff’s Doctor Grenvil all deserve a special mention. Opera North’s memorable revival of La Traviata, with wonderfully atmospheric lighting by Matthew Haskins, continues in repertoire at Leeds Grand until 29th October.