There's always a first time for Verdi's La Traviata

Published on Friday 14 November 2008 13:54

GIUSEPPE VERDI'S three-act opera La Traviata was first performed at the Teatro la Fenice, Venice, on March 6, 1853. Today, it is one of the most-performed operas in the world which makes it all the more strange to discover that celebrated opera director David McVicar has never before tackled the work.

That omission is corrected at the Festival Theatre next week when Scottish Opera present their latest production of the piece, which will alternate with their production of The Secret Marriage, Domenico Cimarosa's two-act opera based on the play The Clandestine Marriage by George Colman the Elder and David Garrick.

Set to an Italian libretto by Francesco Maria Piave, La Traviata (the woman who strayed) is based on the 1848 novel La dame aux Camlias, by Alexandre Dumas.

McVicar, who has become acclaimed for his searingly honest treatment of classic operas, promises an authentic take on the famous courtesan's tragic tale that remains faithful to source material.

The production also marks the Scottish Opera debut of Italian soprano Carmen Giannattasio in the role of Violetta.

Joining her on stage will be Federico Lepre (Alfredo Germont), Richard Zeller (Giorgio Germont), Katherine Allen (Flora Bervoix), Adrian Powter (Baron Douphol), Nicholas Ransley (Gaston), Paul Carey Jones (Marchese D'Obigny), Alan Fairs (Doctor Grenvil) and Catriona Barr as Annina. All will fall under the baton of Emmanuel Joel-Hornak.

The production also features an ensemble of chorus, dancers and actors as well as an array of lavish costumes and a clever set revealing the intimacy of Violetta's boudoir, her home and her final days in Paris.

Sixty-one years older than La Traviata, The Secret Marriage was first performed on February 7, 1792, at the Imperial Hofburg Theatre in Vienna.

Scottish Opera's take on the entertaining piece sees the return of the creative team behind their hit production of Cinderella, which sold out venues all over Scotland and enjoyed a successful run at this year's Edinburgh Fringe.

Again, new faces are to the fore in The Secret Marriage, Garry Walker makes his conducting debut for the company in the production which marks the first appearances with Scottish Opera of American tenor Matthew Garrett, BBC Cardiff Singer of the World 2005 finalist Wendy Dawn Thompson, Quirijn de Lang (recently seen in the ENO's adaptation of David Lynch's Lost Highway) and Dutch soprano Renate Arends.

Joining them are Scottish singer Rebecca Bottone (whose last performance with Scottish Opera was in Seraglio) and Andrew Slater as Geronimo.

Sung in English, The Secret Marriage is a comic whirlwind of deceit, rivalry, fickle affections and secret nuptials. One of the most charming examples of Italian operatic comedy, this is a rare chance for audiences to see Cimarosa's most famous work.

Scottish Opera, Festival Theatre, Nicolson Street, The Secret Marriage, Wednesday, November 27, 29, 7.15pm, Nov 23, 4pm, La Traviata, Nov, 22, 26, 28, 7.15pm, 14-60, 0131-529 6000