La traviata
Exuberant, intoxicating parties, luxurious, unbridled living, sparkling champagne - and the tragic creep of terminal illness. This is the life of the Lady of the Camellias until great love unexpectedly enters her life. But can love really conquer all?
Giuseppe Verdi creates a portrait of a society that tries to forget all its misery in the splendour of glittering parties. Violetta wants to break free, leave her past life behind and seek happiness with Alfredo. But the past casts its shadow over the desperate lovers. Verdi's opera project was initially met with fierce criticism. It seemed too daring to bring a contemporary subject to the operatic stage with a courtesan at its centre. The characters in this story inspired Verdi to create the musical and dramatic alchemy that makes La traviata one of the best loved works in the history of opera. Greeted by ecstatic reviews and public acclaim, Garsington Opera’s 2026 production is directed by Louisa Muller and designed by Christopher Oram, the creative team behind Platée recently seen on OperaVision. The Philharmonia Orchestra is conducted by Douglas Boyd with Madison Leonard as Violetta and Oleksiy Palchykov as Alfredo.
CAST
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Violetta Valéry
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Madison Leonard
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Alfredo Germont
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Oleksiy Palchykov
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Giorgio Germont
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Roland Wood
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Doctor Grenvil
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Thomas D Hopkinson
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Annina
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Mathilda Bryngelsson
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Flora Bervoix
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Alexandria Moon
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Marchese d'Obigny
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Sam Young
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Gastone de Letorières
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Sam Harris
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Baron Douphol
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Chuma Sijeqa
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Giuseppe
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Matthew Sotillo-Cooke
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Messenger
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Peter Lidbetter
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Flora's servant
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Sisa Mjekula
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Dancers
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Nikki Cheung
Jonathan Milton
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Orchestra
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Philharmonia Orchestra
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Chorus
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Garsington Opera Chorus
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Music
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Giuseppe Verdi
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Text
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Francesco Maria Piave
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Conductor
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Douglas Boyd
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Director
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Louisa Muller
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Designer
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Christopher Oram
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Lighting designer
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Marcus Doshi
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Movement director
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Matthew Steffens
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VIDEOS
STORY
Act I
Violetta’s house in Paris. Violetta is giving a party, accompanied by her affluent patron, Baron Douphol. She is introduced to Alfredo Germont, a young man of solid Provençal family who confesses to being already in love with her. As she leads her guests off to dance, Violetta is overcome by a coughing fit. Her frivolous friends are unconcerned, Alfredo is not. He again protests his love but she discourages him. Left alone when her guests finally depart, Violetta finds herself unexpectedly touched by the young man’s passionate declaration. Despite this, she convinces herself that her only choice is to continue to pursue a life of hectic pleasure.
Act II
A country house near Paris, three months later. Violetta has given in to her feelings and she and Alfredo are now living together in the country, where her health has improved. When he accidentally discovers from her maid, Annina, that Violetta has been selling her possessions in order to pay their bills, Alfredo is overcome with shame and leaves for Paris in order to raise the necessary money. Violetta is surprised by an unheralded visit from Giorgio Germont, Alfredo’s father. Having assumed that his son has been squandering his inheritance on Violetta, he is shocked to discover that she has been paying for everything. He begs her to break away from his son as their relationship is threatening his daughter’s prospects of marriage into a respectable family. Germont persuades Violetta that she must make the sacrifice in order to protect the future happiness of both his son and his daughter. A distraught Violetta finally agrees and sends word to Baron Douphol, signalling her return to Paris. When Germont leaves she writes a farewell note to Alfredo, to be given to him once she has gone.When Alfredo reads the note he rejects his father’s attempts to console him and rushes back to Paris, determined to avenge himself for what he believes to be Violetta’s betrayal.
Flora’s house in Paris, the same night. Another party is under way. Alfredo arrives alone, expecting to find Violetta back in her old circle. His fears are realised when she appears on the arm of Baron Douphol. The two men play cards and Alfredo wins a large amount of money. Desperate to prevent them fighting, Violetta tries to persuade Alfredo to leave the party. He refuses and forces her to say that she loves the Baron. In a fury, Alfredo calls all the guests to witness the repayment of his debts with his winnings from the card game. Violetta collapses. Germont witnesses his son’s outburst and reproaches him for his cruel behaviour.
Act III
Violetta’s sickroom, a few months later. Violetta is dying, friendless and in penury, with only the faithful Annina for company. She reads a letter from Germont telling her that he has told Alfredo the truth and that they are both coming to beg her forgiveness. The two lovers are reunited and plan feverishly for a happier future, but it is too late.
GALLERY
