Marie Duplessis—the woman admired by the entire Jockey-Club, supported by some of the wealthiest men in Parisian society, and the lover of many influential and celebrated figures, including the artists Franz Liszt and Alexandre Dumas (fils)—was known for her love of luxury and… camellias. Her life inspired the literary character Marguerite Gautier, the heroine of the nineteenth-century bestseller The Lady of the Camellias. The novel later became the basis for the libretto of Giuseppe Verdi’s La traviata, in which Marie—or Marguerite—appears as Violetta Valéry.

This magnificent opera, perhaps the greatest melodrama in the operatic repertoire, should be seen at least once. It belongs to that exceptional group of works which, however often they are heard, continue to captivate audiences with the sheer beauty of their music.

La traviata has been staged four times in the history of opera in Bydgoszcz, with the first three productions directed by Sławomir Żerdzicki.

The most recent production was created for the Opera Nova stage by Bodo Igesz in 1998. It has remained in the company’s repertoire for twenty-two years and continues to attract audiences.

The story of Violetta and Alfredo, expressed through Verdi’s music, is universal. Although 167 years have passed since the world premiere at La Fenice in Venice, it continues to move and delight each new generation of opera-goers.

The work contains everything that has secured the devotion of performers and audiences for well over a century: magnificent vocal roles, unforgettable musical exchanges between the protagonists, dramatic action, and beautiful ensemble scenes set in the elegant interiors of nineteenth-century salons. Among them is the spectacular brindisi, Libiamo, a choral toast to love and one of the most recognisable melodies in all opera.