La traviata - Welsh National Opera, Mayflower Theatre, Southampton
IT is an opera written in 1853, but in this most modern of performances the characters sang to their friends down mobile phones and ate cornflakes for breakfast.
Last night's performance of Verdi's La traviata by the Welsh National Opera portrayed the tale of tragic love in the present day.
Gone were the elaborate period costumes we associate with Italian opera, and in were chic suits and gowns.
The production had been billed as the perfect experience for first-time opera goers. As one myself, I was not disappointed.
From the outset the production was a feast for the ears and eyes.
A lavish, champagne bottle-strewn set, complete with some saucy portraits of heroine Violetta, proved the perfect setting for the rousing drinking song.
There were excellent performances from a cast including Alexia Cousin on her UK debut as Violetta, and Christopher Purves as Giorgio Germont.
Welsh National Opera will appear at The Mayflower until Saturday June 12.
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