LA TRAVIATA
See the photos and watch the rehearsals here and here.
"This was an absolute knock-out – a superior piece of operatic populism" The Daily Telegraph
"Graham Vick’s tirelessly inventive work creating and sustaining a company as all-inclusive in the best sense of the word as BOC is inspiring. The creative energy and enthusiasm driving it are hugely impressive." The Guardian
"I’ve never been to the opera before but I’ll come and see you lot again!" Audience Member
"I didn’t know the music was so beautiful" Audience Member
"Everyone should have the opportunity to participate in an activity like this." Participant
"I feel proud and inspired to have been part of such a fantastically, artistically innovative, daring production." Participant
"Do it again – bring it on – here I am!" Participant
In October 2007 Birmingham Opera Company presented a large-scale production of Verdi’s La Traviata in The National Indoor Arena in the heart of Birmingham. The production had been kindly lent to the company by the Arena di Verona, Italy’s premier opera festival that takes place in a 17,000 Roman amphitheatre each summer. Work began in earnest in November 2006 when the very first workshops took place to encourage people to join our chorus and continued throughout the next 11 months. Altogether, a group of almost 300 people aged between 14 and 81 worked alongside the professional singers, the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, conductor Massimiliano Stefanelli and director, Graham Vick and his team to create a sensational production. Nearly 10,000 people came to see the performances of whom some 68% had never been to the opera before. The overwhelming reception given to La Traviata by the audience signalled that they want more!