La Traviata (Opera Australia) at Regent Theatre

The full glory and emotional heft of Giuseppe Verdi’s fraught and dramatic love story La Traviata is magnificently captured by Opera Australia.

I am in awe of the spine-tingling efforts of Australian/Mauritian soprano Stacey Alleaume, who is utterly captivating in the lead role.

Her rich and rounded vocal tone reaches remarkable heights in a bravura showing that must be seen and heard. 

It is no exaggeration to suggest this is one of the truly great operatic performances on the finest of stages.

Among Alleaume’s most memorable moments – and there are many – is her rendition of the showstopping aria Sempre libera at the end of Act I.

Violetta Valery (Alleaume) is a Parisian courtesan and the life of every party.

Recently returned from a stint in a sanatorium, where she has been treated for tuberculosis, she re-emerges by throwing another such event.

But Violetta hasn’t known true love until she meets and is wooed by Alfredo Germont (Filipe Manu).

She determines that she will leave her old life behind and start afresh with Alfredo.

Three months later, her past comes back to haunt her, when unbeknown to Alfredo she is visited by his father, Giorgio (Andrii Kymach).

He implores Violetta to break off the relationship because her “reputation” threatens family harmony, specifically Alfredo’s sister’s hopes of marrying the man she loves.

Reluctant though Violetta is to do so, she accedes to Giorgio’s wishes, making the ultimate sacrifice.

That leads to an ugly confrontation between her and an incensed Alfredo at a gambling party.

Her health deteriorating, Giorgio later informs his son of Violetta’s selfless act and Alfredo rushes to Violetta’s bedside, just in the nick of time.

New Zealand-raised tenor Filipe Manu displays his expressive range in a fine display as the besotted, deeply hurt, angry and highly apologetic Alfredo.

Ukrainian baritone Andrii Kymach is a commanding presence as the manipulative Giorgio, who comes to recognise the full impact of his “intervention”.

Verdi’s moving and triumphant score is beautifully realised by Orchestra Victoria, under the baton of conductor Giampaolo Bisanti.

The full weight of the leads, together with the Opera Australia chorus, is captured in the Brindisi, the drinking song in Act I, which also brings me to praise the costuming.

Amongst the work of set and costume designer Charles Davis are sumptuous gowns and elegant suiting, while a striking set, divided into three, opens proceedings. 

Director Sarah Giles has presented a truly memorable production of what is widely considered the world’s most performed and popular opera.

Two and a half hours, including interval, this thrilling work is on at Regent Theatre until 16^th May, 2026.

For bookings, go to https://opera.org.au/productions/la-traviata-melbourne/