Mayflower Theatre Southampton – until 23 November 2018
Reviewed by Nicky Wyatt
5*****
Which would you choose True Love or Affection with fine things at a price? This is the choice the young Violetta ( Anush Hovhannisyan) has to make. Living a life of non stop parties and all the frills of being a courtesan, financed by Baron Doupol ( James Cleverton) her wealthy patron or the chance if true love with Alfredo Germont ( Kang Wang). It is during one of the lavish champagne flowing parties that she is introduced to Alfredo. He is asked to make a toast ‘To enjoy lives fleeting pleasures’ what great advice! There is much laughter and frivolity on this very busy courtesan stage, when the time comes for everyone to retire to other rooms Violetta shows us that she is unwell. Alfredo is there and not only protests his love but tells her he has done for over a year. He wants her to move with him to the country and although she resists at first later than night she changes her mind.
They move to the country and start to live the life that dreams are made of. They are happy in their own little world. It is only when Alfredo discovers that Violetta has been selling her possessions to finance their life that he realises the gravity off their situation. He takes off to Paris to seek his father and improve his finances. He isn’t aware that his love is not just sick but actually dying, he promises to return that night. Soon after he leaves a gentleman caller arrives Alfredos father Giorgio Her mind (Roland Wood) arrives. Unfortunately he sees her a caniving woman and wants her to leave his son as he is promised elsewhere. This scene is absolutely heart breaking as she fights for her man and
argues her case but it makes no difference. Although he feels for her situation he insists she must leave his son.
She leaves and goes back to Paris to a big party on the arm of her old patron Doupol, the tongues are out and gossiping that she has left Alfredo. He too is at the party and spies her from afar and believes her when she later tells him she is in love with Doupol. Hurt and angry he lashes out by publicly humiliating her by throwing money at her to repay his debt. Witnessed by all including his father who is horrified how he has shamed Violetta. Alfredo leaves and Violetta is devastated.
She returns to her home and is cared for by her maid and the doctor they both know she doesn’t have many hours left. She keeps hanging on though, she received a letter to say that Alfredo and his father were returning to her. In this scene Violetta is quite incredible as for much of it she is at deaths door. It is so beautifully played out. Alfredo arrives in time to declare his love again and hold her while she passes. So emotional!
Until tonight my only knowledge of this Opera was from that iconic movie Pretty Woman, I like Julia Roberts in the movie, was absolute mesmerized by the whole performance. The music of Verdi played by the superb orchestra conducted by (James Southall) was wonderful. The clarity of voices fabulous. It was a truly wonderful evening, very emotional and I am most definitely an Opera fan now