Verdi: La traviata ****
Glyndebourne, 1st August 2017
Glyndebourne’s production of operatic weepy La traviata left me dry-eyed when I saw it on tour back in 2014. I found the abstract setting cold and austere, the performances bland. Thankfully, I employed a caveat in the final paragraph: “Essentially, there’s nothing greatly wrong with Tom Cairns’ staging. I can imagine that, if cast with a stronger central trio, it could work well.” Et, voilà! The second cast of the summer (the first reviewed very favourably) saw the festival field three principals worthy of any major international opera house. The difference was palpable.
Atalla Ayan (Alfredo) and Joyce El-Khoury (Violetta)
© Robbie Jack
Read the full review on Bachtrack.