Giuseppe Verdi – Francesco Maria Piave
La Traviata
IF ONLY THE PARTY COULD GO ON FOREVER
Alfredo’s family, part of Parisian high society, disapproves of his love affair with a celebrated courtesan. Far more virtuous than the so-called gentlemen who condemn her, Violetta chooses to give up their love. When the young lovers reunite, death has already taken her into its embrace.
If you long for a full-blooded opera classic, La Traviata is the perfect choice. The intimate story of love torn apart by illness is immortalised in Giuseppe Verdi’s (1813–1901) masterful music, which never fails to stir the heart. This intoxicatingly beautiful production by the Finnish National Opera echoes the very finest traditions of opera.
La Traviata is based on Alexandre Dumas’ novel The Lady of the Camellias (1848), which itself was inspired by a true story. Over the years, it has been adapted into plays, ballets, films, and even the musical Moulin Rouge! To this day, visitors in Paris lay flowers at the grave of the real-life heroine.
“La Traviata delivered exactly the musical fireworks I had hoped for. It was truly captivating, and I found myself constantly dabbing at the corners of my eyes!”
– Audience feedback
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synopsis
PARIS, 1850S
Violetta Valéry, a courtesan kept by Baron Douphol, hosts a party for Parisian high society. Among the guests is Alfredo Germont, the son of a respectable family, who falls in love with Violetta. That evening, he boldly declares his affections for her, and Violetta gradually begins to feel the same. She is gravely ill and nearly collapses during the festivities, though she hides her condition and continues to entertain.
Read longer synopsis
Some time later, Violetta and Alfredo have left Paris for the countryside. Alfredo’s father, Giorgio Germont, arrives in Violetta’s absence. He pleads with her to leave Alfredo, arguing that their relationship has tarnished the family’s reputation and jeopardises his daughter’s chances of a respectable marriage. Violetta agrees to his demand and returns to her old lover, Baron Douphol. Unaware of his father’s interference, Alfredo believes Violetta has betrayed him. At a society gathering, he publicly denounces her and, in a fit of rage, challenges Douphol to a duel.
When Alfredo finally learns the truth about Violetta’s sacrifice, he rushes back to her, full of remorse. But his return comes too late, as Violetta is already on the brink of death.
The ultimate audience favourite
gallery
creative team
- Music
- Giuseppe Verdi
- Libretto after the novel Lady of the Camellias by Alexandre Dumas
- Francesco Maria Piave
- Director
- Giancarlo del Monaco
- Choreography
- Elsa Sylvestersson
- Set design
- Michael Scott
- Costume design
- Michael Scott
- Conductor
- Stephanie Childress
cast
listen to la traviata
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tickets and performances
Sign language interpretation in the performances
on 28 Feb 2026 at 2 p.m. and 13 Mar 2026 at 7 pm.
Gift packages are available to this performance. A gift package includes ticket(s) to the best seats in the stalls as well as interval refreshments from a buffet: coffee/tea and Opera cake(s). The offer is valid until 24 December.
How to buy a gift package
Choose your seats from the stalls in price category B or C and select ticket type ‘GIFT PACKAGE’. The offer does not apply to premieres. Package availability is limited.
The keys to an entertaining evening
The performance takes place on our Main Stage, which has no fewer than 1,300 seats in its auditorium. Please note that the 3rd balcony is very high up. It provides an impressive view, but the front-row seats on this level may not suit those with a fear of heights. Explore the Main Stage and find out more about where to sit. You can also compare the view from different parts of the auditorium.
Price categories: Seats in the auditorium are priced according to the view of the stage and divided into eight price categories (A–H). In addition to seat location, the price is affected by the performance date and demand. Only standard-priced tickets are available in the lowest price categories (F–H).
Discounts:
Discounts are available for selected productions, performances, and seats in the Stalls and the 1st and 2nd Balconies, unless otherwise indicated.
-Pensioners: €10 discount per ticket for selected seats in the Stalls and the 1st Balcony. The discount is available to all holders of the card for national pension recipients and anyone aged 65 or over.
-Students, military and non-military servicemen: 40% discount on the full ticket price.
-Children and those aged 20 and under: 40–50% discount on the full ticket price.
-Same-day tickets: A special rate of €30 per ticket is available for those aged 20 and under, students, military and non-military servicemen, the unemployed, and pensioners. The discount applies to seats in the Stalls, no earlier than 12 hours before the performance and subject to availability.
Please note that full-price and concessionary tickets for under-20s, students, and pensioners can be exchanged in our online store free of charge up to 24 hours before the performance. The value of the ticket(s) is credited to your customer account for later use.
Children and young people up to the age of 20 are eligible for a 40–50% discount on ticket prices.
Please note that children under the age of 5 are not admitted to Main Stage performances. The age recommendation for each production can be found at the top of its dedicated page.
For the best view, we recommend seats in the front Stalls or the centre of the 1st Balcony. If you’re unsure which seats would be most suitable, our customer service team will be happy to help you find the best options.
To ensure an enjoyable and memorable visit, see our Visiting with children page for more tips.
You can easily purchase accessible seats either through our online store or customer service. On the auditorium map, you can check the locations of accessible seats in the Main Stage auditorium (pdf). The accessible seats are marked with wheelchair icons to make choosing your seat easier.
Read more detailed instructions for purchasing accessible seats and ensure your visit is effortlessly enjoyable from start to finish.
The programme booklet provides background information about the production, its creators, and the story. It is published on the day of the premiere and can be purchased before the performance from the customer service desk in the Töölönlahti lobby, the sales desk at the Mannerheimintie entrance, all open counters of the Opera Restaurant, and selected members of our lobby staff. The price of the programme booklet is €7.
You can also buy the programme booklet in advance from our customer service desk or online via the Order refreshments page. See more detailed instructions here on how to purchase the programme booklet on the Order refreshments page.
The digital cast details for each opera and ballet, including the evening’s cast and creative team, are published online no later than on the day of the performance (please note that the link opens in a separate window). Cast details are also available on the displays and touch screens in the foyers, as well as under the My events tab in the mobile app.
Enhance your experience with refreshments. You can enjoy refreshments before the performance or during the interval. We recommend placing your order in advance, either through our online store or by calling our customer service. If tables are still available, online sales close no later than 24 hours before the performance.
Using the Opera&Ballet mobile app, you can order interval refreshments to a pick-up counter until shortly before the performance begins. Learn more about pick-up orders.
The Opera House is located by Töölönlahti bay. Our address is Helsinginkatu 58, which is well served by public transport.
The main entrance on the Mannerheimintie side usually opens 1.5 hours before the start of a Main Stage performance. Please make sure you arrive in good time, at least 15 minutes before the performance begins. Latecomers are only admitted after the interval so as not to disturb the performance.
How to dress for the performance? Can I wear perfume? Do I need to pay for the cloakroom? Find answers to these questions and more on our Tips for visitors page. We have put together a comprehensive guide to help make your visit to the Opera House a success.