Opera comes to Plymouth's big screen

La traviata opens the BP Big Screen season and is broadcast live from the iconic Covent Garden stage and free to 18 towns and cities across the UK, including The Piazza, Plymouth.

2014 marks the 25th anniversary of the partnership with BP which has enabled half a million people to enjoy world-class opera and ballet through free live broadcasts from the Royal Opera House beamed to big screens in their home town. BP first supported the Big Screen programme in 2000, when there was just one screen in Covent Garden, although the partnership began in 1988 with a wide variety of activities. Last Season was the most successful year for BP Big Screens, with more than 45,000 people watching from Aberdeen to Belfast and London to Plymouth.

The BP Big Screens are the perfect way to share world-class opera with family and friends for free. The three productions feature exclusive backstage films, competitions and live interaction, and bring some of the Royal Opera House’s finest performances live to the great outdoors across the UK. 

In celebration of 25 years of support from BP, the Royal Opera House streams the first BP Big Screen of 2014 live online and completely free to the world. La traviata on 20 May at 7pm (BST) marks the first time the Royal Opera House has offered a complete opera in real time for free through its website www.roh.org.uk/bpbigscreens. 

La Traviata, Tuesday 20 May, 7pm

Based on Alexandre Dumas fils’s successful play and novel La Dame aux camélias, this opera is one of  Giuseppe Verdi’s most moving and memorable masterpieces, and has become one of the most popular operas in the repertory. Violetta, a Parisian courtesan and one of Verdi’s most complex characters, renounces her indulgent lifestyle for love of Alfredo – only to find that his father wishes her to make a much greater sacrifice.

Richard Eyre’s acclaimed production stars American soprano Ailyn Pérez in the role of Violetta singing opposite her real life husband American tenor Stephen Costello as Alfredo. One of today’s greatest baritones Simon Keenlyside sings the role of Giorgio Germont, under the baton of acclaimed Israeli conductor Dan Ettinger.

Rigoletto, Wednesday 17 September at 7.30pm

One of Verdi’s best known operas makes a welcome return to Covent Garden, in David McVicar’s dark and atmospheric production, with strong characterizations and vivid scenery. The production deftly depicts the colourful and corrupt world of the court in 16th century Mantua. The dark and violent themes remain as potent today as ever. The opera tells the story of the jester Rigoletto, cursed by a man he has mocked, who is driven to despair by the seduction of his daughter and later by his increasing obsession with revenge.

In the title role of Rigoletto is Greek baritone Dimitri Platanias, and the role of the innocent Gilda is performed by Japanese soprano Eri Nakamura. The role of the Duke of Mantua is sung by Italian tenor Piero Pretti with Italian specialist Maurizio Benini conducting.

Alex Beard, Chief Executive of The Royal Opera House, said: "The BP Big Screens are a must-see event in many people's summer calendar and a great way for new audiences to enjoy opera and ballet.

"As we look forward to another brilliant summer of free, world-class productions on the big screen, it’s a fitting time to congratulate BP for their twenty five years’ support of the Royal Opera House and what better way to celebrate the anniversary than to share La traviata to a global audience online for free.

"BP’s investment enables us to reach out to new audiences nationwide each summer and confirms them as one of the leading supporters of UK arts and culture."

Des Violaris, BP’s UK Director for Arts and Culture, said: "BP is delighted to continue its backing for the BP Big Screens in this our 25th year of supporting the Royal Opera House.

"Being able to connect people and communities across the UK, bringing high quality opera to their doorsteps, is at the core of our relationship with the ROH. Last year we had an audience of over 45,000 across the country, the highest audience figure since our support for this initiative started 14 years ago.

"We are thrilled that the Royal Opera House will be streaming La traviata live to the entire world to celebrate our partnership and hope that the skies over the UK will stay clear this year so that even more people can discover and be inspired by the BP Big Screen."

For the full list of BP Big Screen venues and to watch La traviata online visit www.roh.org.uk/bpbigscreens   

To find out more about the Royal Opera House visit www.roh.org.uk