Directing La Traviata in Panevėžys — Madis Nurms

Rehearsals are underway at Panevėžys Musical Theatre for a new production of Giuseppe Verdi’s La Traviata. The premiere is planned for January 2027, the opera is sung in Lithuanian.

The production revisits the staging first presented at the PromFest festival in 2017, bringing its distinctive concept by Anu Lamp to a new theatre and cast. Originally conceived around themes of downfall, decay and the fragility of beauty, the earlier La Traviata production travelled from Kaunas State Musical Theatre to Vanemuine Theatre in Tartu.

At the heart of the production is a provocative reinterpretation of the opera’s central tragedy: tuberculosis, which claimed the life of Verdi’s Violetta, is replaced by drug addiction as a contemporary social plague. The glamorous world of Paris becomes a toxic environment shaped by excess, consumerism and the illusion of happiness. Beneath its brilliant surfaces lies a world of self-destruction, where the pursuit of escape only deepens the characters’ suffering.

"Vivid, wonderful costume design. Red color, latex, sadomaso atmosphere - all this was declarative and aesthetically pleasing"

Monika Helme, Muusika - July 2017

Violetta’s story remains one of loneliness and the longing to be loved. A desperate search for genuine human connection in a world that offers glamour and pleasure but little lasting fulfilment. The production explores the devastating cost of a life lived on the edge.

The design of the opera is based on the concept of downfall and decay. The subject of fading fairness becomes especially relevant in the story of a fallen woman who’s only valued for her external beauty. The sharp angles and brilliant surfaces of the set design are meant to form an urban background for the sinister costumes – and to bring to life the “crowded desert which is known to men as Paris.”

Verdi originally wanted to follow Dumas in giving the opera a contemporary setting, but the censors of the time insisted that it be set in the past. It was not until the 1880s that the composer's original wishes were carried out and up-to-date productions were staged.

The imagery of the production has been inspired by Giuseppe Verdi who was drawn to the modern themes in the story. He stressed the need of following Dumas in giving the opera a contemporary setting, but the censors of the time insisted that it be set in the past. In that spirit, our production of "La traviata" also has a modern feel to it.

Opera "La Traviata" by G.Verdi.

Musical director and conductor - Erki Pehk
Stage director - Madis Nurms, based on the original concept by Anu Lamp
Choreographer - Stefanija Nosovaitė
Scenographer - Madis Nurms
Conductor - Imantas Jonas Šimkus
Original codirector/choreographer - Ingmar Jõela
Original lighting designer - Margus Vaigur

Violetta Valéry: Monika Pleškytė, Eglė Stundžiaitė
Alfredo Germont: Egidijus Bavikinas, Nerijus Noreika
Giorgio Germont: Eugenijus Chrebtovas, Rytis Janilionis
Flora: Emilija Bagdonaitė, Salomėja Petronytė
Annina: Eglė Radavičiūtė, Ugnė Stražnickaitė
Gastone de Letorières: Jurgis Jarašius
Barone Douphol: Martynas Stankevičius
Marquis d´Obigny & Doctor Grenvil: Daktaras Grenvilis - Tomas Ladiga

Choir of Panevėžys Music Theater
Orchestra of Panevėžys Music Theater

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Opera "La Traviata" by G.Verdi.

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