The National Opera and Ballet Theatre presents Swan Lake, one of the greatest classical masterpieces. A jewel of the classical repertoire, this ballet brings to life the romantic love story between Prince Siegfried and Princess Odette, a prisoner of a spell: transform herself into a swan by day and become a woman again by night. In the face of the deceit of the sorcerer and his daughter, will the Prince succeed in freeing his bride? Between poetic duets and spirited choreographies, the brilliant dancers will thus link Spanish Pas, Mazurka, and the inevitable Dance of the Little Swans… Symbol of romantic ballet, Swan Lake explores the meanders of eternal love and continues to seduce generations of spectators. see more
“Un ballo in maschera” is the only one of Verdi’s operas set in the United States. Moreover, this setting was entirely accidental — or rather, the result of censorship. The opera’s plot was based on a play by the French dramatist Eugène Scribe, which in turn was inspired by the real-life assassination of King Gustav III of Sweden. However, in 1858, just before the opera’s premiere, there was an assassination attempt on Napoleon III. The authorities in Naples were alarmed; they feared that an opera depicting the murder of a king might incite rebellion among the Neapolitans. As a result, Verdi was required to make certain changes to the plot. The censors (a clever and crafty bunch!) agreed that the story would raise no objections as long as the victim was not a king, but merely a governor in some colonial Boston. see more
In their Latin Quarter garret, the painter Marcello and poet Rodolfo try to keep warm by burning pages from Rodolfo's latest drama. They are joined by their comrades — Colline, a young philosopher, and Schaunard, a musician who has landed a job and brings food, fuel and funds. But while they celebrate their unexpected fortune, the landlord, Benoit, arrives to collect the rent. Plying the older man with wine, they urge him to tell of his flirtations, and then throw him out in mock indignation... see more
Giuseppe Verdi's legendary opera tells a story about love and hate, life and death, innocence and sin. The performance is built on these contradictions, as well as the face of the main heroine - Violeta Valerie. The action that takes place on stage, however, seems to constantly try to challenge the name of the work: "La traviata", which in Italian must be "fallen, sinful". With her body crushed by an incurable disease, the courtesan tends towards a pure and bright love. The simplicity and sincerity that pervade the music of the Italian composer, make us approach it with love and open our souls to distinguish how they cried and how deeply human characters, realistically outlined rejoiced. The authenticity of their feelings is compelling. "Traviata" remains one of the most sung and acclaimed works in the history of universal music. see more
Verdi adapted one of Shakespeare’s greatest tragedies into an equally tragic opera. Written during the Risorgimento, Italy's independence movement, the opera reflected Verdi's preoccupation with themes of freedom and tyranny. A cautionary tale about what can happen when someone with political ambitions pursues power for its own sake, the story feels both current and timeless. Macbeth, a noble Scottish general, gets a prophecy from three witches that he will one day become King of Scotland. Goaded on by his power-hungry wife, he murders the king and assumes the throne. Crazed with guilt and paranoia, Macbeth is forced to commit even more murders to stay one step ahead of suspicion. Lady Macbeth, consumed by her own shame, is slowly driven mad. see more
The action of the opera begins with Angelotti, a political prisoner, who seeks refuge in a church, where he is protected by Cavaradossi, a local painter, who is also the lover of the famous singer, Floria Tosca. The young painter behaves suspiciously while protecting his friend, and Tosca believes that he is cheating on her. The police chief, Baron Scarpia, plays with Floria Tosca's jealousy to locate the two men, whom he soon captures. Angelotti prefers to end his days rather than be imprisoned, and Tosca desperately begs Scarpia to spare Cavaradossi's life, the price being herself. Having obtained the certainty that he saved his lover from death, he kills Scarpia with a knife and heads to the dungeon to please Cavaradossi. Will the two lovers be able to be together? see more