La Traviata owes its enduring popularity to a superb story of young love and fatal sacrifice, set to music by Italy´s master melodist at the peak of his powers. Interest and poignancy are added by the fact that this is a true story - the baritone ´heavy´ is Alexander Dumas who wrote The Count of Monte Cristo. But it is the central figure, the heroine Violetta, the archetypal ´whore with the heart of gold´ who dominates the piece. It is her opera and we love her for it.

A superb ´human interest´ story, a captivating cast of characters, and music which is both enchanting and insightful: just some of La Traviata´s ingredients explaining its enduring popularity. The characters are outlined with Smillie´s reliable blend of insight and originality: ´Violetta, we must accept, is the proverbial Whore with the Heart of Gold, and this ravishing melody goes a long way towards melting the said heart.´ David Timson narrates throughout.