Following 2011's highly successful Orpheus in the Underworld, White Horse Opera’s 2012 production was a multinational production of Verdi’s La Traviata. Dutch soprano Iris Korfker made her debut with White Horse as the beautiful courtesan Violetta Valéry, while Brazilian tenor Renato Cordeiro, currently studying in Italy, appeared as her lover Alfredo.

Both young singers are at the start of their operatic careers, and we are delighted that they joined us for this exciting new production. We also welcomed New Zealand baritone Brendan Casey as Giorgio Germont. Add in a German musical director and other cast and chorus members from Germany, Spain and the USA, and you’ll find a very exotic mix of characters converged on the Corn Exchange.

La Traviata is one of Verdi’s most popular operas, with its tragic story of love and self-sacrifice and its glorious music, including the popular Brindisi, the spectacular Sempre libera and the exquisite Di Provenza il mar.

Alexandra Denman’s new production was set in pre-First World War Paris, a colourful world of artists and absinthe, where bohemians and aristocrats mingled to drink, paint, make love and be merry. Where money could buy the company of a beautiful woman, but not save her life or mend her broken heart.

The orchestra and singers were in the safe musical hands of Arne Kovac, White Horse’s popular musical director, while local artist Andrew Taylor decorated the set in the style of early 20^th-centry masters like Monet and Matisse.

A tuneful, tearful evening was had by all.