Opera by Giuseppe Verdi. Presented at Opera Holland Park in the summer of 2018.
The production was revived at Opera Holland Park in the summer 2021, and again in 2025!
| Director | Rodula Gaitanou |
| Designer | Cordelia Chisholm |
| Lighting | Simon Corder |
| Choreographer | Steve Elias |
| Conductor | Matthew Waldren |
“Cordelia Chisholm’s lavish period sets and costumes are top of the range. Simon Corder’s resonant lighting shows them off to their best advantage and is equally well attuned to the work’s emotional trajectory.“ – George Hall, The Stage, 21 July 2025
“…the space comes into its own when it houses Violetta’s deathbed in a finale that’s doubly strengthened by Simon Corder’s expressive lighting.” – Geoff Brown, The Times, 31 May 2018
“…Simon Corder’s lighting, a tricky prospect at Holland Park where part of the performance
takes place in daylight, works a treat. It is a long time since any La traviata looked and felt as
beguiling as this.” – Richard Fairman, Financial Times, 30 May 2018
“The ending is equally emotive when, under Simon Corder’s evocative lighting, we see Violetta die in Alfredo’s arms.” – Sam Smith, MusicOMH, 1 June 2018
“Designer Cordelia Chisholm’s spare set of metal framed glass doors, beautifully lit by Simon Corder, is reminiscent of a 19th century railway station where everyone is rushing to catch a train.” – Clare Colvin, Daily Express, 3 June 2018
“In the final Act, a black dress signals her doom, while Simon Corder’s garish lighting overwhelms the day-light lucidity with the ghoulish purple excess of Flora’s party. The orangery doors come into their own in this last Act: half-open, they admit both lurid light and tumbling crowds of raucous revellers…” – Claire Seymour, Opera Today, 29 May 2018
Photos: Robert Workman and Ali Wright – all 2018