Opera Speaks: La Traviata Then and Now
This extremely relevant panel conversation will explore both the historical context of the opera and the impact of modern-day portrayals of sex work on sex industry workers.
Date/Time: Oct 10 2019, 5:00 pm to 8:30 pm
Vancouver, Vancouver Public Library350 West Georgia
Tickets
Cost: Free
When it premiered in 1853, audiences were scandalized by the tragic story of Violetta, a courtesan who falls in love with the son of viscount. By centering the opera on Violetta, Verdi sparked conversation across Europe about prostitution and its place in society while also contributing to the romanticized vision of courtesans that was popular at the time.
More than 150 years later, La Traviata is a reminder that art and entertainment continue to represent a fictionalized version of sex work.
Featuring speakers from the B.C. Coalition of Experiential Communities and the University of British Columbia.
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