Double opera bill for Moldovan soprano

Maria Tsonina stars in La Traviata and La Boheme at Cork Opera House next week, Colette Sheridan reports

FOR acclaimed Moldovan soprano, Maria Tsonina, performing opera all over Europe is a passion and an all-consuming way of life. She stars as Violetta in Ellen Kent’s touring productions of Verdi’s La Traviata at the Cork Opera House on Apr 3 and as Muzetta in Puccini’s La Boheme at the venue on Apr 4-5. These productions feature the Ukrainian National Opera of Kharki with international soloists, a chorus and a full orchestra.

La Traviata, based on a true story, tells the tragic and passionate tale of the consumptive Violetta. One of its highlights is Brindisi, the best known drinking song in opera.