A landmark 2018 production of Verdi's tragedy featuring a new director, conductor, and star cast.
Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases
Opening Night Debut
The 2018-19 season premiere introduces Michael Mayer's new staging of Verdi's tragedy at the Metropolitan Opera.
Key Events
Production Premiere — Michael Mayer's staging debuts for the 2018-19 season. Characters: Giorgio GermontLocation: Metropolitan Opera House
Conductor Debut — Yannick Nézet-Séguin leads his first performances as Music Director. Characters: Giorgio GermontLocation: Metropolitan Opera House
Conductor and Cast Introduction
Yannick Nézet-Séguin makes his debut as Music Director while Diana Damrau and Juan Diego Flórez take their respective roles.
Key Events
Conductor Debut — Yannick Nézet-Séguin leads his first performances as Music Director. Characters: Giorgio GermontLocation: Metropolitan Opera House
Violetta Portrayal — Diana Damrau delivers a compelling portrayal of the consumptive heroine. Characters: Giorgio GermontLocation: Metropolitan Opera House
Principal Performances
Quinn Kelsey steps into the role of Alfredo's implacable father, rounding out the principal cast with dramatic intensity.
Key Events
Alfredo Debut — Juan Diego Flórez sings his first Verdi role as the impetuous lover. Characters: Giorgio GermontLocation: Metropolitan Opera House
Germont Casting — Quinn Kelsey portrays Alfredo's implacable father in the principal cast. Characters: Giorgio GermontLocation: Metropolitan Opera House
Global Broadcast and Legacy
The starry ensemble delivers a Live in HD transmission, cementing the production's artistic significance for global audiences.
Key Events
Live HD Transmission — The performance is transmitted live to audiences worldwide. Characters: Giorgio GermontLocation: Global Cinemas
Starry Ensemble — A starry ensemble performs Verdi's beloved tragedy together. Characters: Giorgio GermontLocation: Metropolitan Opera House
Artistic Significance — The production marks a doubly significant milestone for the Met. Characters: Giorgio GermontLocation: Metropolitan Opera House
Story Breakdown
Directorial Vision — Michael Mayer brings a dazzling new staging to the Metropolitan Opera stage.
Staging Concept — Modern interpretation of Verdi's classic tragedy.
Season Premiere — Debut performance during the 2018-19 season.
Musical Leadership — Yannick Nézet-Séguin takes the podium for his inaugural performances.
Conductor Debut — First performances as the Met's Music Director.
Orchestral Direction — Leading the starry ensemble through Verdi's score.
Violetta Interpretation — Diana Damrau delivers a compelling portrayal of the consumptive heroine.
Soprano Casting — Damrau returns to the Met stage for this role.
Character Arc — Fighting to find true happiness amid illness.
Alfredo Portrayal — Juan Diego Flórez makes his company debut in a Verdi role.
Tenor Debut — First time singing Verdi with the Metropolitan Opera.
Lover Character — Portrayed as ardent yet impetuous.
Germont Characterization — Quinn Kelsey rounds out the principal cast as the implacable father.
Baritone Casting — Kelsey brings depth to the authoritative role.
Paternal Conflict — Represents the implacable force opposing the lovers.
Broadcast Format — The production is captured and transmitted via Live in HD.
HD Transmission — Live broadcast to cinemas worldwide.
Global Reach — Extends the Metropolitan Opera's audience beyond New York.
Any new Met production of Verdi’s beloved tragedy La Traviata would be noteworthy, but Michael Mayer’s dazzling staging, which premiered during the 2018–19 season, was doubly significant as it marked Yannick Nézet-Séguin’s first performances as the Met’s Jeanette Lerman-Neubauer Music Director. On the podium for this Live in HD transmission, Nézet-Séguin leads a starry ensemble. As Violetta, the consumptive heroine fighting to find true happiness, soprano Diana Damrau delivers yet another compelling portrayal on the Met stage. Tenor Juan Diego Flórez sings his first Verdi role with the company, as Violetta’s ardent yet impetuous lover, Alfredo, and baritone Quinn Kelsey rounds out the principal cast as Giorgio Germont, Alfredo’s implacable father.
