La traviata, Coliseum, London

Emma_Bell.jpgBy Andrew Clark [Financial Times, 28 September 2006]
It doesnít matter where or when you set La traviata. What counts is that Violetta should bear the hallmark of the ìworking girlî, albeit witty and beautiful, and the characterisation of the principals is emotionally truthful. Then the prima donna must walk Verdiís tightrope ñ different voice and persona for each act ñ and move us.