La Traviata at the Royal Opera House

“Alfredo is a difficult part to play because he is so much a witless victim of his own inexperience, but American tenor Stephen Costello shows conviction in the role, especially in his duets with Pretty Yende.

In their early meetings, the singers perfectly bring out the contrast between him being besotted with love, while she is caught between laughing at him and being quite moved by his earnestness. Their performance at such moments perfectly brings out the magnificence and subtlety of Verdi’s music.”

Express