The 160th anniversary of Verdi's La Traviata

The beautifully renovated La Fenice opera.

On this day, 160 years ago, Verdi's La Traviata was performed for the first time. The venue was Venice's gorgeous La Fenice opera house. 

The premiere was not the great success Verdi had hoped for. The root of the problem was, according to the distinguished baritone Franco Varesi, who sung to role of Giorgio Germont, that Verdi had composed the opera with disregard for the vocal capabilities of his principals."This caused much strong feeling among the Venetian public". 

Another view of the La Fenice. 

Verdi then withdrew and revised the opera, which was presented again a year later, in 1854, at the Teatro Gallo di San Benedetto, also in Venice. 

Those who want to see La Traviata again at La Fenice - one of the most beautiful opera houses in the world - will have to wait until February next year, when the new production is due to be performed. 

Diego Matheuz

The conductor will be the young Venezuelan Diego Matheuz, who in 2011 was appointed Principal Conductor at the La Fenice. 

Here the great tenor Piotr Bezcala (Alfredo Germont) and soprano Eva Mei (Violetta) perform the famous Brindisi.

Francesco´s Venice

"Venice has been painted an described many thousands of times, and of all the cities in the world it is the easiest to visit without going there"
Henry James

Well, James was probably right. One excellent way to visit Venice without going there is to watch Francesco da Mosto´s four part series "Francesco´s Venice". Architect, author and film maker, count da Mosto is a knowledgeable and never boring guide to the city that has been the home of his family possibly since the fifth century A.D. However, be prepared to actually want to visit or revisit Venice after watching these documentaries!

(Gondolier from 1506, antiqueprints.com)

Watch an excerpt:

A tribute to Francesco Mosto:

Francesco´s Venice series is available e.g. here.