Giuseppe Verdi’s La Traviata will perform on the iconic stage of the Odeon of Herodes Atticus in Athens, presented by the Greek National Opera (GNO) as part of the 2024 Athens and Epidaurus Festival.
This tragic love story, with its much-loved arias and duets, will be directed by the GNO’s choreographer and artistic director, Konstantinos Rigos who will attempt time travel, beginning with Violetta Valéry’s Parisian 18th century residence and moving into today’s world, where the tragic ending of the story will unfold.
La Traviata by the Greek National Opera in Athens. Photograph: Vasilis Makris/courtesy of GNO
In the spirit of Verdi’s compelling music, Rigos’ direction will focus on the hypocrisy of relationships, the rigidness of social structures and the heroine’s dramatic love.
The American opera superstar Nadine Sierra will be performing the role of Violetta Valéry alongside the up-and-coming tenor Freddie De Tommaso in the role of Alfredo Germοnt and with the internationally acclaimed baritone Dimitri Platanias in the role of Giorgio Germοnt. Distinguished GNO’s soprano Vassiliki Karayanni will be performing the title role in the second cast.
LA TRAVIATA – THE STORY
Set over three acts to an Italian libretto by Francesco Maria Piave. It is based on ‘La Dame aux Camélias’, a play adapted from the novel by Alexandre Dumas, La Traviata means “the fallen woman” or “the one who goes astray” and refers to the main character, Violetta Valéry.
A full house for the Greek National Opera at last year’s Athens & Epidaurus Festival. Photograph: Dimitris Sakalakis/courtesy of GNO
A story of sickness, love, and death, La Traviata follows Violetta, who is ill with consumption, as she falls unwillingly in love with a young man Alfredo. While she struggles with the fact that she is dying, they escape the city to live together in the French countryside. While living out their lives happily, Alfredo’s father comes and guilts Violetta into leaving Alfredo and returning to her old life. Alfredo, devastated, shows up at a party where Violetta has returned to her old love, and declares her a whore. Months later, Violetta is in her sickbed, slowly dying of consumption when Alfredo returns to her to declare his love. He arrives too late, and she dies in his arms.
The opera features some of the most challenging and revered music in the entire soprano repertoire and the aria “Sempre libera” at the end of Act I is especially well known.
Why Athens Tip: This performance of La Traviata will feature subtitles in both English and Greek.
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