This week I’ve been to the Opera House in Manchester to see the wonderful La Traviata performed by the Ukrainian Opera & Ballet Theatre Kyiv with international soloists, highly-praised chorus and full orchestra. I was very keen on going to see Ukrainian artists, at this difficult time, to show our support. I’ve seen La Traviata a few times, but it is the first time I see it in UK. It was wonderful and well worth going to see it, if you have the chance.
This is one of three shows, with the other two being Carmen and Madama Butterfly. We also have tickets in a couple of months for Madama Butterfly and I am very much looking forward to it.
Violetta was portrayed by Alyona Kistenyova and she was amazing. Her voice is gorgeous and her acting was impressive. Alyona graduated from the Odesa State Conservatoire and is now a principal at the Odesa State Opera House. Alfredo was portrayed by the Spaniard Giorgio Meladze.
Most of the artists taking part in this opera were from Ukraine and Moldova. There were a Belorussian and a Georgian as well.
At the encore the cast brought a Ukrainian flag and sang the national anthem, which was emotional and lovely. I overheard someone saying I was thinking too.
I got the programme and read about the main cast and about the director Ellen Kent. Here are some details on the shows. As there isn’t a full list of the shows, I’ve included a picture from the programme.
Ah, this sounds wonderful! I enjoy playing for operas and when I’ve been to watch them, have enjoyed them though I’ve only been to watch the occasional one at ENO and the Royal Opera House! I particularly enjoy Benjamin Britten’s operas or Mozart.
Verdi writes cracking tunes in his operas and excellent piccolo parts!
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I would love to go and see something like this, it sounds like a beautiful performance. x
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I have never attended an opera, though I had an aunt who listened to it on the radio every Saturday afternoon when I was a child. I think I might enjoy it as long as I had the libretto and could follow what’s going on. I seem to remember Madame Butterfly being a favorite of hers.
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I love opera. I used to go often when I was in Romania. The opera in the city where I grew up was lovely and as a teenager I loved to see a few operas each season.
La Traviata is based on a real story, as Verdi was inspired by the Alexandre Dumas’ La Dame aux Camelias. It is one of my favourite operas. I haven’t been to Madama Butterfly and I am very eager to see it. It is a sad story too.