It's a big Verdi year as we celebrate the 200th anniversary of his birth. As such, there have been a lot of great shows at the Met so far this season, but this week's presentation caps the celebrations.
Canadian superstar conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin makes his fourth mainstage appearance at the Met, following appearances every season since 2009-2010. And he's joined by a sensational cast. Diana Damrau stars as Violetta and by all accounts she's superb. It's her first time in the role, and the New York Times review said she grew into the role through the evening. Damrau, just four months ago, gave birth to her second son whom she's nursing during the intermissions!
Plácido Domingo plays the role of Giorgio Germont, and like Damrau, it's a first for him. The star tenor has added a lot of baritone parts to his repertoire as of late, and at the age of 73 is reportedly going strong.
He's probably more familiar with the role of Alfredo, although it's a role he last sang with the Met in 1981. It was that same year that this Traviata's Alfredo was born! Albanian tenor Saimir Pirgu is turning heads and ears as he breaks onto the opera scene and it's interesting to hear these two singers together. One, a legend in his own time, and the other, a star on the rise.
There are lots of good reasons to head to the theatre for this Live in HD production. The staging is simple and effective (note our gallery above), bringing new ideas but never distorting the plotline. But for those, not able or willing, the radio broadcast will deliver hit after musical hit. A sure bet for a Saturday afternoon at the opera, whatever your plans.
Related:
The 1981 production of La Traviata that starred Placido Domingo
Willy Decker's staging was also used in the 2011-2013 season