For over two years, Toronto opera fans have been waiting for April 23, 2022.
This day marks the first in-person mainstage opera performance at the Canadian Opera Company’s since the pandemic began.
On the bill is one of the most celebrated operas in history, Verdi’s La Traviata.
This revival production was last performed at the COC with Arin Arbus in October as part of their 2015/16 season. Before that, Russian provocateur Dimitri Bertman led the production in 1999. It was later revived (and rather watered down) in 2007.
This time around, Arbus returns to direct. She’s known for her deeply moving productions, and thus, this could be a fit for an audience warm to a more emotional approach.
What to expect
Recalling the original production, expect big and bold party scenes, heavy and hot period costumes, and show-stopping arias from an eager cast.
Director Arin Arbus described reproduction as “a deeply drawn psychological portrait of a woman struggling to survive in a moneyed, stratified patriarchy. And that, unfortunately, remains an important story”.
The line-up
- Violetta Valéry: Amina Edris
- Alfredo Germont : Matthew Polenzani
- Giorgio Germont: Simone Piazzola
- Flora Bervoix: Jamie Groote
- Marquis d’Obigny: Jonah Spungin
- Baron Duphol: Gregory Dahl
- Annina: Midori Marsh
- Dr. Grenvil: Vartan Gabrielian
La Traviata runs at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts on April 23, May 1, 3, 7, 12, 18, and 20, 2022.
For more details, see HERE.
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