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La traviata: Love, Death and Divas

Amanda Vickery and Tom Service reveal the story behind one of the world's most popular operas, Verdi's La traviata, and its incendiary premiere which scandalised Victorian London.

La traviata is one of the world's most popular operas. Its arias are instantly recognisable and have become staples for opera houses across the globe. Yet at its London premiere in 1856, La traviata was denounced for bringing 'the poetry of the brothel' to the stage and unleashing uncomfortable truths on Victorian society.

Historian Amanda Vickery and Radio 3 presenter Tom Service reveal the extraordinary story behind the opera's first night in London and its scandalous heroine, the courtesan Violetta Val茅ry, whose dramatic life and tragic death were based on real-life characters and events. Tom and Amanda's journey goes from the luxury of the Parisian demi-monde to the teeming streets of Victorian London, where prostitution was seen as a threat to society itself. Amanda explores the story of Marie Duplessis, a highly-prized courtesan whose life inspired the play on which the opera was based, whilst Tom discovers how Verdi, on a visit to Paris with his mistress soprano Giuseppina Strepponi, seized this risqu茅 story for the subject of his new masterpiece. Together, Amanda and Tom follow the opera's journey to London and examine how its incendiary premiere marked a historic moment in which art confronted reality, redefining the role of the opera diva forever.

Scenes from Verdi's masterpiece have been specially recreated for the film alongside location photography in Venice, Milan, Paris and London.

59 minutes

Last on

Thu 17 Mar 2016 00:25

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Amanda Vickery
Presenter Tom Service
Violetta Val茅ry Gabriela Istoc
Alfredo Germont Edgaras Montvidas
Giorgio Germont Stephen Gadd
Producer Tim Kirby
Director Tim Kirby
Executive Producer Elizabeth Hartford
Executive Producer Ben Weston
Production Company Reef Television Ltd

Broadcasts

The Classical Voice season

A season of Radio and TV programmes exploring the depth and power of classical singing.