La Traviata

Published Friday 15 February 2008 at 13:15 by Chris High

What better way to spend Valentine’s Day than watching one of the world’s most romantic operas, especially when it is produced and performed as lavishly as this?

Ellen Kent has been, on occasions, a little guilty of understating some of her productions. Not so this. The sets and costumes are exquisite, providing a perfect accompaniment to this story of forlorn love, and choosing such a young, vibrant cast is a masterstroke.

Maria Tsonina, as the doomed Violetta, grows magnificently into role with a commanding presence that blossoms as the opera gathers pace. The Empire is a huge theatre, and at first she struggles to be heard above the orchestra. However as the story unfolds, Tsonina surmounts this difficulty and turns in a fabulous performance that has all but the stoniest reaching for their tissues.

No such problems befall Ruslan Zinevych. Here is a tenor with a great future - he imperiously grabs the role of Alfredo by the scruff of the neck and shakes it for all of its worth, until all of the emotion of the part is exposed for all to see.

Also worthy of mention are Vladimir Dragos, in the role of Alfredo’s ill-advised father - who holds an exemplary command of his part in the proceedings - and Tattiana Virlan playing Violetta’s maid, Anninia.

This is a truly majestic evening, brought up to the mark by sterling performances all around, fabulous sets, costumes and music conducted faultlessly by Gheorghe Stanciu.