Marina Rebeka stars as Violetta in Verdi’s La traviata for the annual NDR Klassik Open-air concert performance, on July 23. She performs alongside an internationally renowned cast, including Thomas Hampson as Giorgio Germont, and Francesco Demuro as Alfredo. The NDR Radiophilharmonie, and members of the Mädchenchor Hannover, Johannes-Brahms-Chor Hannover and Mitglieder des Staatsopernchores Hannover, all accompany for this event, led by Keri Lynn Wilson. The concert evening takes place at Hannover’s Maschpark – Neues Rathaus.
Violetta is a signature role for Ms. Rebeka, whose previous portrayals have been lauded by audiences and critics across the globe, including a recent star turn at The Metropolitan Opera:
“Attractive, comfortable on stage (and standing on the minimalist furniture), and with a shining soprano, she negotiated the coloratura difficulties of the first act with ease, even touching on an interpolated high E flat at the close of “Sempre libera”. She has several degrees of pianissimo as well; the spun lines of “Dite alle giovane” and “Addio del passato” were lovely and touching. She uses no chest voice at all and it was occasionally missed late in the opera, but the voice opens up to a grand size when needed, and she did well with “Amami, Alfredo” and her death scene.” (Bachtrack)