Sarah Giles’ nationally lauded production of Verdi’s La Traviata – a lavish co-production by Opera Queensland, State Opera South Australia and West Australian Opera, for its highly anticipated Melbourne premiere.
The season features a superb cast of local and international performers who will bring to life Giles’ acclaimed take on the world’s most performed opera, with a mix of fresh new talent alongside well known favourites.
Two sopranos will bring their own distinctive style to the character of courtesan Violetta with the role to be shared by Melbourne-born Stacey Alleaume and Italian Maria Laura Iacobellis, performing alternating dates across the limited eight show season.
Alleaume returns to her hometown to perform the role she has sung to critical acclaim in opera houses around the world, including Hong Kong, Italy and Wales, as well as Austria later this year.
Also set to delight audiences, Iacobellis will make her Australian debut in this production. The young Italian soprano has made waves across Europe since 2015 with a series of significant lead role debuts across the continent including Donna Anna (Don Giovanni), Musetta (La Bohème), Nannetta (Falstaff) and Pamina (Die Zauberflöte).
Other alternating cast members include rising New Zealand tenor Filipe Manu who will make his role debut as Alfredo, sharing the season with Italian tenor Oreste Cosimo and acclaimed baritones Andrii Kymach and Luke Gabbedy who will share the role of Giorgio Germont.
Award-winning Italian conductor Giampaolo Bisanti will lead Orchestra Victoria and the Opera Australia Chorus through Verdi’s beloved score, bringing his renowned Italianate style to Australia for the first time.
Bisanti has firmly established himself as one of the most remarkable and recognized conductors of his generation and is regularly invited to perform by some of the world’s most prestigious opera houses.
From the famous Brindisi to Violetta’s soaring Sempre libera, Verdi’s music for is a thrilling, emotional experience and Giles’ new perspective continues to strike a chord with audiences, time and again.
Conductor: Giampaolo Bisanti | Director: Sarah Giles | Featuring: Stacey Alleaume, Maria Laura Iacobellis, Filipe Manu, Oreste Cosimo, Andrii Kymach, Luke Gabbedy, Angela Hogan, Iain Henderson, Richard Anderson, Anthony Mackey, Shane Lowrencev, Jane Ede, Jin Tea Kim, Jonathan McCauley, Malcom Ede, Opera Australia Chorus, Opera Australia Dancers, Orchestra Victoria | Set & Costume Designer: Charles Davis | Lighting Designer: Paul Jackson | Revival Director: Claudia Osborne | Assistant Director: Bec Moret
La Traviata
Regent Theatre, 191 Collins Street, Melbourne
Season: 8 – 16 May 2026
Information and Bookings: www.opera.org.au
Image: Stacey Alleaume stars as Violetta in La Traviata at the Regent Theatre – photo by Eugene Hyland