MEDIA RELEASE Verdi | Directed by Elijah Moshinsky | Conducted by Renato Palumbo | Anthony Legge La Traviata 3 Feb – 1 Apr | Theatre, Sydney House Starring | Ermonela Jaho | Ho-Yoon Chung | José Carbó

Internationally acclaimed soprano Ermonela Jaho will make her Australian debut in Sydney this summer in the classic role of Violetta in La Traviata. As the recipient of the Reader’s Award at the 2016 International Opera Awards and described by The Economist as “the world’s most acclaimed soprano”, it will be a rare treat to hear her sing on stage. “Ermonela is one of the greatest singers in the world and Violetta is one of the great roles. She’s a tremendously exciting and wonderful artist who I cannot wait to see perform for us on the Opera House stage,” said Artistic Director Lyndon Terracini. Two of Australia’s finest sopranos Lorina Gore and Emma Matthews will also share the role of Violetta across the Sydney season, with Verdi specialist Renato Palumbo and Anthony Legge conducting. La Traviata is one of the world's most popular . It includes the show-stopping arias 'Sempre libera', which vies with 'Nessun dorma' for highest rankings in classical top tens as well as the famous drinking song, the ‘Brindisi’. Famous for its starring role in the hit film Pretty Woman, when Richard Gere took Julia Roberts to her first opera, La Traviata is the quintessential operatic tragedy. The story of La Traviata, so exotic and literary for us, was devastatingly close to Verdi’s own life. Shortly after the death of his young wife and children, Verdi took up with his own “traviata”, or fallen woman — a celebrated soprano who daringly defied convention in favour of freedom and a life of luxury. This production by Elijah Moshinsky is one of Opera Australia’s most successful, featuring opulent party scenes in Paris and beautiful autumn afternoons in the countryside. Lavishly decorated sets and exquisite costumes along with Verdi’s famous, hummable tunes combine to create the perfect production for those wanting to experience opera for the first time. Or for seasoned opera-goers, the chance to revisit an old favourite with a dynamic new cast.

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Creatives Performance information Conductor Renato Palumbo (until Mar 4) Evenings at 7.30pm Anthony Legge February 3, 9, 11, 14, 16, 18, 23, 25 March 2, 4, 6, 8, 13, 16, 18, 21, 23, 25, Director Elijah Moshinsky 28, 30 Revival Director Hugh Halliday April 1 Set Designer Michael Yeargan Matinees at 1pm March 11 Costume Designer Peter J Hall

Lighting Designer Nigel Levings Running time Choreographer Matthew Barclay Two hours and fifty minutes including two Assistant Director Constantine Costi intervals. Performed in Italian with English surtitles.

Cast Bookings Violetta Valéry Ermonela Jaho (until Feb 18) Adult tickets from $72 (fees may apply) Lorina Gore (Feb 23 – Mar 4) Group and concession prices available Emma Matthews for most performances. Student Rush available for most Alfredo Germont Ho-Yoon Chung (‘til Mar 4) performances: $50 (fees may apply) Liparit Avetisyan Opera Australia Box Office Giorgio Germont José Carbó (02) 9318 8200 Flora Bervoix Dominica Matthews www.opera.org.au

Gastone John Longmuir Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Baron Douphol Adrian Tamburini (until Mar Opera House 13) | Tom Hamilton Marquis d'Obigny Samuel Dundas

Dr Grenvil Gennadi Dubinsky Annina Natalie Aroyan (until Mar 13) Media enquiries Janet Glover | PR Manager Leah Thomas 02 9318 8246 | 0412 601 816 Guiseppe Jin Tea Kim [email protected] Messenger Jonathan McCauley Servant Malcolm Ede

With the Opera Australia Orchestra and Opera Australia Chorus