See all

Live in cinemas: La traviata

Live in cinemas: La traviata

Live in cinemas: La traviata

Opera and music

Live and love, to the last breath. Watch Richard Eyre’s production of Verdi's sublime opera live in cinemas from Wednesday 14 January 2025.

A man and a woman embrace in a production image of La traviata. The woman, playing the character of Violetta Valery, is wearing a white dress and is at the front of the embrace. The man wearing, playing the character of Giorgio Germont, is wearing a dark suit and stands behind her.
0

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 2025.

Running time
The screening lasts approximately 3 hours, including two intervals
Guidance
Suitable for all
Language
Sung in Italian with English captions
#royaloperahouse

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? 

Read the full synopsis

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
Violetta Valéry

Ermonela Jaho

Alfredo Germont

Giovanni Sala

Giorgio Germont

Aleksei Isaev

Doctor Grenvil

Barnaby Rea

Flora Bervoix

Ellen Pearson

Baron Douphol

Sam Hird

Gastone de Letorières

Giorgi Guliashvili

Marquis D'Obigny

Ossian Huskinson

Chorus Director

William Spaulding

Creatives
Director

Richard Eyre

Designer

Bob Crowley

Lighting Designer

Jean Kalman

Director of movement

Jane Gibson

Donate

The Royal Ballet and Opera is a charity and relies on your support. No matter the size, every gift is critical to our work and helps us to secure the future of ballet and opera.  

Your donation will enable us to keep extraordinary work on our stages, inspire the next generation and support the Royal Ballet and Opera's community of artists, technicians and craftspeople. 

For people, not profit. Making world class ballet and opera for everyone.

Sign up now to our newsletter to get our latest news, offers and alerts

Royal Opera House Covent Garden Foundation, a charitable company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales (Company number 480523) Charity Registered (Number 211775)