La Traviata

Seen recently at the Bristol Hippodrome in front of a packed house, and what a grand nioght out it was. Verdi's "Fallen Woman" is the tale of a young man falling for a fabulous courtesan and redeeming her through love, only to be torn apart from her by his disapproving father. The lovers

For me at least, the production would have been pretty ordinary but for Tanya McCallin's atmospheric designs which gave an unified and atmospheric feel to the whole evening. I was probably half way through the show before I realised that the floor was Violetta's tomb but then I was in the stalls so seeing it at a disadvantaged angle ;-) That, however, is a measure of the detail applied here.

Alfie Boe gave a believable and moving performance as Alfredo, providing a strong centre around which the rest of the cast could revolve and Katia Pellegrino's Violetta was beautifully sung - but for me, even for opera, the remainder of the main cast lacked believability - I know its opera but I still look for some acting.

None the less, a superb night out