Stirrer Ticket Competition

LA TRAVIATA (NIA, October 25, 26)

19-10-2007

Money sex, and death. What more could you want? Oh, incredible music, fantastic costumes, and an amazing setting? Alright then, you can have those as well as The Stirrer gives you the chance to win a pair of tickets for Birmingham Opera Company's La Traviata.

Verdi's classic tale of lust and greed is coming to the NIA next week direct from the Arena di Verona - Italy's premier opera festival.

It will feature the cream of international vocal talent - but it will be supplemented by a large cast of Brummies eager to take part in what promises to be un unforgettable event in the city's cultural history.

Even those who don't normally like opera find this company irresistible - as The Stirrer can testify after witnessing their terrific "Candide" at the Chuck Works in Digbeth a few years ago.

Director Graham Vick has an uncanny ability to refashion ancient texts for the modern age, but he shouldn't have to try too hard with this one - it's about society call girl Violetta who swaps her life of celebrity shagging for rural respectability. But can she escape her past? Whadderya think? It's opera godammit.

Vick's long time collaborator Paul Brown has promised to turn the NIA into a grand Roman amphitheatre, the CBSO are providing the disco, while the Italian maestro Massimiliano Stefanelli will be wielding the baton.

La Traviata is next Thursday and Friday, 25 & 26 October at the NIA. Box Office: 0870 010 9032. Online bookings at www.necgroup.co.uk/boxoffice

Tickets: £15/£25/£35/£45 Website: www.traviatalive.com

We've got two pairs of tickets to give away for the performance next Thursday, October 25. Just tell us which legendary Birmingham music mogul is writing a diary of La Traviata for The Stirrer. Email editor@thestirrer.com

If you don't know the answer scroll down our front page to find out. Competition closes at noon on Saturday, winners will be picked at random.

The editor's decision is final.