Join Vancouver Opera host Nicholas Burns and artists from the Yulanda M. Faris Young Artists Program for a lively, behind-the-scenes exploration of Mozart’s beloved comedy Così fan tutte. Through live musical excerpts and engaging conversation, this evening unpacks the opera’s enduring themes of love, deception, loyalty, and human folly.

Opera Adventures: Mozart’s School for Lovers

Vancouver Public Library

Giuseppe Verdi’s La Traviata premiered in 1853 and has since become one of opera’s most beloved works. Today, it stands as the second-most-presented opera worldwide since 2022—an enduring favourite whose popularity shows no signs of slowing.

A sweeping story of impossible love, set to some of Verdi’s most emotionally-charged music, La Traviata tells of Violetta, a courtesan desired, elevated, and ultimately undone by the society that fixes its gaze on her. Alfredo sees her through the soft blur of infatuation, believing he alone can capture her truth. Alfredo’s father, however, sees Violetta as a “fallen woman” and demands that she break off her relationship with Alfredo for the sake of his family’s reputation. Heartbroken sacrifice made, her health worsens. Alfredo rushes to her side, but is it too late to undo what’s done?

Helmed by internationally acclaimed Vancouver-based director Idan Cohen, this new co-production with Pacific Opera Victoria closes out 2026–2027 with a striking stage design that draws from Pop Art, classic Hitchcock aesthetics, and mass media culture, while Vancouver Opera’s esteemed Music Director Jacques Lacombe steers Verdi’s score through the intoxicating desire lines of romance, high drama, and exquisite melody.

Julia LoRusso

Events

Upcoming events

Apr 24 - May 2, 2027

La Traviata · Vancouver Opera

Past events

Jan 28, 2026

Opera Adventures: Mozart’s School for Lovers · Vancouver Opera

Future and recently performed repertoire

Annina in La traviata by Verdi

Vancouver Opera

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