The performance of La Traviata is scheduled for the Hanoi Opera House on August 8-10.

It's a captivating opera in three acts composed by the famous Giuseppe Verdi. It tells the story of a young man from a powerful Provençal family (Alfredo Germont) who falls in love with a rich prostitute (Violetta Valéry).

Renowned Austrian director Beverly Blankenship has teamed up with VNOB artists to stage the opera La Traviata. Photo: VNOB

The father (Giorgio Germont) interferes in this love affair to protect the family's reputation, leading to a misunderstanding that causes all the characters involved to make mistakes, and in the end, Violetta dies in Alfredo's arms.

The beautiful Violetta is an outsider in society, always looking for happiness and love. She has sweet moments of unexpected love, but it's often cruel. The relationship ends when Violetta's identity is revealed to be painfully true.

La Traviata is not only the story of Violetta, Alfredo, and Giorgio Germont, but also a vivid picture of the upper-class society of 19th-century France.

In VNOB's opera La Traviata, the audience will dive into the couple's dream of happiness through the aria Ah fors'e lui che l'anima with the wonderful soprano voice of artist To Loan, who acts as Violetta. The young talented artist Truong Linh will play the role of Alfredo.

Giorgio Germont in the opera La Traviata performed by Meritorious Artist Huy Duc.

Meritorious Artist Huy Duc, who has experienced fatherhood and has a heart full of artistic enthusiasm, will bring the nuanced character of Giorgio Germont to life in the classic opera. "We have been rehearsing diligently for the past few months. I hope that under the direction of renowned directors and with Japanese music by Kotaro Kimura, the opera La Traviata will win over Vietnamese and world audiences," he said.

Being premiered for the first time in Vietnam, the opera would bring the quintessence of the world's classical music to the public. Vietnamese artists will perform under the guidance of talented directors Beverly Blankenship and Rebecca Blankenship, along with conductor Kotaro Kimura.

It is a great challenge for the artists of the Vietnam National Opera and Ballet, who have been practicing diligently with strict requirements, from movements, and acting gestures to the presentation of arias or complex dramatic situations, to clearly portray the personalities of the characters, how best to convey the spirit of the work, and meet the expectations of the audience.

La Traviata was first performed in 1853 at the La Fenice opera house in Venice. To this day, the work remains immensely popular and is one of the most frequently performed operas.