Violetta, social media star, returns to the Opéra Bastille

Australian director Simon Stone continues to give classics a facelift. His “Traviata” is resolutely modern and “his” Violetta, an influencer. A triumph at the Opéra Bastille.

The applause didn’t stop throughout the show. At the end of each solo, notably from Violetta, but also from Germont, father and son, the room explodes. The public does not shy away from its pleasure. La TraviataSimon Stone version, is resolutely modern.

The story takes place today, in the age of social networks, image and overconsumption. Violetta, played by an inspired Nadine Sierra who breathes admirable passion and elegance into her character, is caught up in her smartphone. She shares every moment of her life with her millions of subscribers. Down to the smallest detail. Violetta is a social media star. She sees her life as a non-stop party, washed down with champagne and ignited by fleeting desires. She doesn’t sell her body like in The Lady of the Camellias by Alexandre Dumas fils, the originator of Verdi’s opera, but his life, his intimacy.

An influencer under influence

Violetta evolves in a setting which therefore evokes the domination of the image and the dictatorship of happiness, thanks to a turntable which accompanies the strong moments. Australian director Simon Stone continues to give classics a facelift. It is therefore in today’s Paris that Violetta Valéry ends up succumbing to the charms and giving in to the perseverance of Alfredo Germont, played by a convincing René Barbera. Suffering from cancer, the demi-mondaine suffers and sees her strength decline. Alfredo, far from being a victim of appearance, devotes unconditional love to her.

Nadine Sierra’s performance is impressive. The American soprano, who has already performed Violetta at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, seduces with her playing, her presence, and her crystalline voice which reaches very high notes. She is passion, passion, elegance. She is consumed by remorse, by death. Violetta is shockingly true. The public gave him a triumph. Another notable performance: that of Ludovic Tézier as Giorgio Germont, a father sensitive to social conventions and traditions. The baritone manages to give another version of his character: a father who is both determined and torn by his choices.

Giacomo Sagripanti’s musical direction is subtle and sensitive. The Italian conductor as well as the Paris National Orchestra also received a long standing ovation from the public. La Traviata, Simon Stone version, never ceases to seduce. And to triumph.

Technical sheet

Title : La Traviata

Music : Giuseppe Verdi

Booklet: Francesco Maria Piave

Staging: Simon Stone

Distribution : Nadine Sierra, Kristina Mkhitaryan, René Barbera, Ludovic Tézier, Marine Chagnon, Cassandre Berthon, Maciej Kwaśnikowski and Alejandro Baliñas Vieites.

Duration : 3h05 with 2 intermissions

Language : italian

Surtitles: French English

Place : Opéra Bastille, place de la Bastille, 75012 Paris