La Traviata

This Sir Richard Eyre production was streamed last night by Covent Garden.

It was – thank goodness – a traditional representation of Verdi’s masterpiece based on Alexandre Dumas’s The Lady of the Camelias.  

It benefits from a strong story line of Violetta (Hrachuki Bajseoz) a courtesan  and her intense love affaire with Alfred Germont (Lipsar Avertisyan) whose father (Sir Simon Keenyside) seeks to disrupt the relationship so he can better marry off his pure daughter.

It transpires Violetta is selling  off all her jewellery to pay Alfred’s gambling debts.

There are no New York lofts 70s sets, no modern dress, this most popular of operas does need any tinkering .

The Me-tooers have a proper heroine. Both Violetta and Alfred are Armenian and this may account for their chemistry although Alfred resembles the village blacksmith with a partiality for swigging ales in the tavern judging by his girth.

The soprano role of Violetta is much much coveted. She is rarely off stage  and any acting talent can be displayed. This Violetta does very well.

The arias notably the joyful Brindisi are peerless.

We have all slipped into our routines. Like many a Ruster I like the early evening Poirot but this had to be recorded and my boeuf bourguignon with potato purée and minted peas partaken earlier as it was a 7pm start.  It all made for  an entertaining evening.