In our Autumn Season we have two performers sharing the part of Violetta in our revival of Verdi’s La traviata – one amazing role, two fabulous singers; one at the start of her WNO story, the other already a firm favourite.
Linda Richardson has sung Violetta in our production of La traviata before, when we last revived it in 2014. However, this wasn’t her first performance with WNO, Linda is a soprano we can count on to bring her understanding and voice to roles from Cio-Cio-San in Madam Butterfly, to Elvira in I puritani, the title role in Anna Bolena and Amaltea in Moses in Egypt.
An alumnus of the Royal Northern College of Music, Linda was a Principal Artist at English National Opera where her many roles included Violetta. She has also performed the role with Opera North and Scottish Opera during her career.
Whereas Armenian soprano, Anush Hovannisyan is making her first appearance with us – she is no stranger to the role though, having performed it with our co-producers, Scottish Opera, receiving fabulous reviews for her performance last autumn.
A previous Jette Parker Young Artist at the Royal Opera House following her graduation from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, get a taste of Anush singing with our Orchestra, conducted by Music Director Tomáš Hanus, at the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World competition in 2017.
The Sunday TimesAnush Hovhannisyan sweeps all before her with her bright, lyric soprano…this was a “star is born” moment for the young Armenian.
So, whichever cast you catch, you will undoubtedly witness the trials of heroine Violetta Valéry performed with heartbreaking truthfulness – from fallen woman, to angel, back to temptress, and then her tragic death, when once again her loyalty and devotion persuade the audience of her selflessness, herself a sacrificial offering to love and thereby ‘acceptable’. Each singer will offer their own interpretation of this iconic character – see Linda Richardson on 21 & 28 September; 10, 17, 19 & 25 October; 7 & 14 November; or Anush Hovhannisyan on 30 September; 4, 6, 12 & 27 October; 9, 16, 21 & 23 November. Visit the production page for full details and performance schedule.