The Gala premiere at the Salle Garnier of the Opera of Monte-Carlo of a new production of Verdi’s La Traviata based on The Lady of the Camellias piece by Alexander Dumas son took place on Friday 25th January.

This opera was first played in Monaco back in 1881 and the latest performance was in 1999. La Traviata that literally translates to The Fallen Woman, takes place in Paris in the 1840’s same decade when Verdi lived there and tells the story of Violetta Valery a famous, beautiful and terminally ill courtesan who falls madly in love with nobleman Alfredo Germont, abandoning her frivolous life for a happiness that will not last. No opera expresses the transformative power of love more than La Traviata.  Bulgarian soprano Sonia Yoncheva played a passionate Violetta with an enchanting powerful voice. She is the winner of the famous Operalia in 2010, conducted and organised by Placido Domingo at La Scala in Milan. French tenor Jean-Francois Borras sings beautifully in the role of Alfredo Germont. Borras debut was in the « Little Singers of Monaco » at 8 years old. Italian baritone Luca Salsi was remarkable as the inflexible and cynic then remorseful Giorgo Germont father of Alfredo. The musical direction was entrusted to Marco Armiliato conducting the Philharmonic Orchestra of Monte-Carlo, with Stefano Visconti directing the chorus of the Opera. 

Sonya Yoncheva and her companion Italian tenor Domenico Menini and Jean-Francois Borras with his companion

The visually stunning staging is the creative work of Monte-Carlo Opera Director Jean Louis Grinda whose challenge was to respect the original material while still presenting an innovative and provoking interpretation. The fabulous period garments, accessories and hairstyle are by well-known Chilean costume designer Jorge Jara. The performance was followed by a dinner with the artists organized by The Friends of the Opera at the Fairmont Hotel.

La Traviata will play again this evening, Sunday, January 27, Wednesday, January 30, Friday, February 1 (Young public), Saturday, February 2 and Sunday, February 3.

For exact times and reservations go to www.opera.mc.

Jean-Louis Grinda with his wife choreographer Eugenie Andrin-Grinda

Photos by Celina Lafuente de Lavotha