The Metropolitan Opera premiered its new production of La Traviata, directed by Tony winner Michael Mayer, December 4. Leading the cast of the Verdi classic are Diana Damrau as Violetta, Juan Diego Flórez as Alfredo, and Quinn Kelsey as Germont.
The production marked conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin’s first time at the podium as the company’s music director, having begun his tenure in September. To mark the occasion, the opening night performance concluded with a confetti cannon at his bow and a separate bow for the Met Orchestra (plus mini prosecco bottles labeled "Vintage Yannick" for the audience).
Read reviews for the new production below.
New York Classical Review (Eric C. Simpson)
New York Magazine/Vulture (Justin Davidson)
The New York Times (Anthony Tommasini)
Parterre (Patrick Clement James)
Wall Street Journal (Heidi Waleson)
Playbill will continue to update this list as more reviews come in.
La Traviata marks Mayer’s second new production at the Met this season, following the North American premiere of Nico Muhly’s Marnie. He made his Met debut in 2013 with his Vegas-set presentation of Rigoletto, which returns to the house later this season.
The production features costumes by Susan Hilferty, set design by Christine Jones, lighting design by Kevin Adams, and choreography by Lorin Latarro.
La Traviata, starring Damrau, Juan Diego Flórez, and Quinn Kelsey, continues through December 29. Performances will resume in April with a cast including Anita Hartig, Stephen Costello, and Plácido Domingo.
