Dates

27 Jan-18 Feb 2024

Location

Dutch National Opera & Ballet, Main Stage

Running time

2:40, incl. 1 interval

Tickets

From € 30

La traviata

Heartbreaking tale of a ‘material girl’

In La traviata, Giuseppe Verdi did more than just tell the story of a terminally ill courtesan. He also confronted his contemporaries with their own hypocritical morals. The German stage director Tatjana Gürbaca does the same in her incisive production of Verdi’s classic.

Photo: Marta Syrko

Heartbreaking tale of a 'material girl'

When Verdi decided to use Alexandre Dumas’ 1848 novel La dame aux camélias as the basis for La traviata, it was the first time he had used a contemporary story for one of his operas – Marie Duplessis, the Parisian courtesan who inspired the main character, had died in1847. She was a cult figure, the epitome of success and glamour who was fated to meet a tragic end.

 

Poignant interpretation

Tatjana Gürbaca, one of today’s most exciting opera directors, made her DNO debut in 2021 with her piercing production of La traviata. In this interpretation, Violetta Valéry starts as a carefree ‘material girl’ who becomes increasingly caught up in a capitalist system that eventually destroys her. Gürbaca strips the opera of all superfluous embellishments and lays bare the unforgiving toughness of the human condition against the background of a minimalist set. She directs the chorus with attention to the finest details. “Both individually and collectively, the chorus members seem prepared to do anything for the director Tatjana Gürbaca”, wrote Theaterkrant.

 

Top-notch vocalists

The role of Violetta Valéry demands an exceptionally versatile singer and actor. It is sometimes claimed that from a vocal perspective the role ideally requires three different sopranos, one for each act. This challenging role is in accomplished hands, both vocally and theatrically, with the Romanian soprano Adela Zaharia, who previously gave a fervent performance as Donna Anna in Don Giovanni at DNO.

The Ukrainian tenor Bogdan Volkov and the Armenian tenor Liparit Avetisyan alternate in the role of Violetta’s lover Alfredo Germont. The seasoned Verdi singer George Petean completes the trio of main roles. The musical direction is once again in the hands of the energetic and passionate Italian conductor Andrea Battistoni, who this time will be conducting the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra.

Performance information

Opera in three acts
Sung in Italian

Libretto  Francesco Maria Piave
Musical direction  Andrea Battistoni

Stage direction  Tatjana Gürbaca
Set design  Henrik Ahr
Costume design  Barbara Drosihn
Lighting design  Stefan Bolliger
Dramaturgy  Bettina Auer

Violetta Valéry  Adela Zaharia
Alfredo Germont  Bogdan Volkov, Liparit Avetisyan
Giorgio Germont  George Petean
Marchese d’Obigny  Michael Wilmering
Barone Douphol  Roger Smeets
Annina  Inna Demenkova
Flora  Martina Myskohlid*
Gastone  Salvador Villanueva
Dr. Grenvil  Mark Kurmanbayev*

* Dutch National Opera Studio

Chorus of Dutch National Opera
Chorus master  Edward Ananian-Cooper

Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra

Original production by Den Norske Opera (Oslo)

Gürbaca reveals the harshness of the human condition

Ticket prices

Check out the ticket prices per price category via the link below.

Ticket prices

We offer discounts for specific groups in order to make our performances accessible to everyone. Check this page to see if you are eligible for a discount.

Price
category
Standard CJP | City Pass | 
Youth up to 16
1st € 176,00 € 161,00
2nd € 151,00 € 133,00
3rd € 120,00 € 103,00
4th € 95,00 € 85,00
5th € 64,00 € 56,00
6th € 30,00 € 24,00

Dutch National Opera & Ballet works with a system of dynamic pricing: during the booking period the ticket prices may increase, depending on demand. Prices exclude € 2,00 booking fee per ticket.

Student discount and student alert
Students can take advantage of discounted tickets for performances at Dutch National Opera & Ballet. From 13.00 on the day of the performance, if it is not sold out, you can buy a ticket online for only € 19 (including booking fee). Have your valid student ID card or proof of enrolment ready to show at the door.

For some performances, we are already giving students the opportunity to book with student discounts. Want to stay up to date with our student offers? Sign up for the student alert and receive the latest news about offers in your mailbox.

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Scene
Scenes from La traviata by DNO (2021) | Photo: Monika Rittershaus
Scene
Photo: Monika Rittershaus
Scene
Photo: Monika Rittershaus
Scene
Photo: Monika Rittershaus
Rotterdams Philharmonisch Orkest

Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra

Founded in 1918, the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra is renowned around the world for the intensity of its concerts. Led by chief conductor Lahav Shani, the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra is lauded for its colourful sound. Shani’s predecessor Yannick Nézet-Séguin is the orchestra’s honorary conductor. In the 2022/2023 season, the orchestra played Messa da Requiem for Dutch National Opera. This season, conducted by Andrea Battistoni, the orchestra will play La traviata.

Rave reviews
In the media
5 December

This production, of one of the most popular operas, is unpredictable, original, edgy and harrowing. 

6 December

Gürbaca’s vision is clear. Violetta is an emancipated, tragic heroine, a victim of a materialistic (male) world full of opportunists and bourgeois morality.

12 May

His [Battistoni’s] traviata is moving, heartfelt, and driven by a quick, pressing rhythm.

Partners Dutch National Opera Studio

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