Opera Performed Last June At Beijing's National Center For The Performing Arts#
Soprano Inva Mula (L) and tenor Leonardo Caimi during a rehearsal for "La Traviata" in Beijing (Image: News.CN)
Beijing-based romantics will have the opportunity to take in Verdi's three-act opera "La Traviata" this week, running through the 17th at the National Center for the Performing Arts (NCPA). After staging a wildly successful version of La Traviata in Beijing last June, the NCPA again presents the Verdi masterpiece with a new director and cast. As Director Hanning Brockhaus said, though La Traviata is one of the most-performed operas in history, the new version at the NCPA is anything but a retread of past renditions.
Taking place in the dreams of lead character Alfredo, the NCPA’s new production of La Traviata turns the surrealism up to ten, eschewing traditional stage props for a massive, 264 square meter mirror and hand-painted stage designs that reflect temporal transitions from modern times to 19th century Paris. The fittingly elaborate wardrobes were created by “The Last Emperor” costume designer Giancarlo Colis for sopranos Inva Mula and Zhang Liping and tenors Ding Yi and Richard Troxell. Music by conductor Chen Zuohuang and the NCPA Orchestra and Chorus.
La Traviata runs at the National Center for the Performing Arts through February 17. Tickets range from 100-580 yuan (US$15-88).
National Center for the Performing Arts
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2 Chang'an Avenue, Dongcheng District, Beijing
北京市西城区西长安街2号
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