Live in cinemas: La traviata
Live in cinemas: La traviata
Live in cinemas: La traviata
Live and love, to the last breath. Watch Richard Eyre’s production of Verdi's sublime opera live in cinemas from Wednesday 14 January 2026.
Heart-rending arias meet harsh realities in this captivating story. Experience the devastating beauty of Verdi’s music in some of opera’s most famous tunes. Live in cinemas from Wednesday 14 January 2026.
Heart-rending arias meet harsh realities in this captivating story. Experience the devastating beauty of Verdi’s music in some of opera’s most famous tunes. Live in cinemas from Wednesday 14 January 2026.
A Timeless Classic
At one of her lavish parties, the celebrated Parisan courtesan Violetta is introduced to Alfredo Germont. She has just returned to the city following a period of illness, and is touched by Alfredo’s concern. The two instantly fall in love, and Alfredo asks Violetta to join him in the countryside. Though hesitant to leave behind her life of luxury and freedom, she agrees, following her heart.
After three months of living with Alfredo, Violetta, alone at the house, receives an unexpected visit from his father, Giorgio Germont, who persuades her to abandon Alfredo to save the Germont family from scandal. Though heartbroken at the thought of leaving Alfredo, Violetta eventually agrees. Rather than return to his family home, Alfredo follows Violetta to Paris. But when he finds her with her former protector Baron Douphol, tensions erupt. With Violetta’s health increasingly fragile, will it be too late for Alfredo to make amends?
Background
A moving story about a woman in love that features one of opera’s most famous melodies (the ‘Brindisi’ chorus), La traviata is perfect for first-timers and a favourite among regular opera-goers. Antonello Manacorda conducts a cast headlined by soprano Ermonela Jaho. In director Richard Eyre’s world of seductive grandeur, the tender and devastating beauty at the centre of Verdi’s opera shines bright.
A star role
La traviata (literally: she who has strayed – tra – from the path - via) is inspired by the life and death of the real-life Parisian courtesan Marie Duplessis, about whom Alexandre Dumas fils wrote a novel and play: La Dame aux camélias. Verdi offers a complex and sympathetic portrayal of the heroine, highlighting Violetta's noble nature and her devotion to Alfredo. Initially, La traviata had a lukewarm reception after its 1853 Venice premiere, but after Verdi revised the work in 1854, it became enormously successful. It is currently the most performed opera in the world, and the role of Violetta a favourite for many star sopranos.
Intoxicating Music
Verdi's sublime score contains some of his most inspired arias and duets, including Violetta's introspective 'Ah fors'è lui' (Could it be him) as she contemplates falling in love, before celebrating her independence in the spectacular ‘Sempre libera' (I must always be free). The 'Brindisi' chorus (also known as the Drinking Song) on the other hand, celebrates love and life through a rousing waltz between the flirtatious Violetta and Alfredo.
Cast and Creatives
Cast
Creatives
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