La traviata at the Špilberk Castle
Warm summer evenings are best spent under the stars with music, and that is why the Janáček Opera NdB ensemble is bringing opera performances to the romantic surroundings of Špilberk Castle again this year.
A timeless tragic story of a courtesan hoping for the happiness of true love. For a brief moment it seems so close, but it is only a dream. A chamber drama in the classic direction of Zbyněk Srba.
Perhaps none of those attending the Venice premiere, which was a devastating fiasco, believed they had just witnessed the birth of one of Italy’s most popular and most performed operas. Verdi found a theme close to his heart in this novel about the love between the courtesan Violetta and Alfredo, who is not favoured by his father or society. He knew the setting well – Paris, a city full of hustle and bustle, had never been much of a favourite, and the tragic story reminded him of his own life experience. For years he had lived in a loose union with the soprano Giuseppina Strepponi and had felt first-hand society’s resistance to an “illicit” relationship. His personal experience undoubtedly enhanced the sympathy and compassion for the heroine that permeate the entire opera… The lucid lyrical music, where Italian bel canto is closely combined with dramatic expression, added poignancy to the tragic love story of the famous Parisian courtesan and gave birth to an operatic evergreen.
Staged in italian original with czech, english and german subtitles.
2 hours and 40 minute, 2 intervals
Information:
EVENING BOX OFFICE: The box office will be open 45 minutes before the start of the performance and is located at the entrance gate in Courtyard I. We offer blankets for rent and raincoats for purchase.
THE AUDITORIUM has no elevation, seating is on benches.
DRESS CODE is not given. Please dress warmly, summer evenings are unpredictable.
TOILETS: Spectators can use the toilets in the area between the first and second courtyards.
HOW TO GET TO US: You can start your hike to Špilberk conveniently from the nearest public transport stops Česká, Šilingrovo náměstí, Úvoz or Komenského náměstí.
RAINCOATS AND BLANKETS: In case of bad weather, we have prepared raincoats and blankets for you. You can buy a raincoat for 30 CZK and rent a blanket for a refundable amount of 100 CZK.
