An international cast were accompanied by the Orchestra of the Budapest Opera, under the baton of Tamas Bolberitz.

The outstanding performance came from a young singer we are going to hear more about, Sung-Eun Kim, who played Violetta. The yardstick by which a singer's performance can be measured should not be how high and loud they sing. For me, it's how well they sing quietly. Sung-Eun's quiet yet well projected sound with notes floated into the ether and took the audience's breath away.

Her vocal range was amazing, with a strong mezzo quality at the bottom of her voice, yet her high notes also had depth to them. She also acted well: her death scene was full of pathos and ingenuity.

Tenor Alessandro Codeluppi, singing Alfredo, doesn't have a big voice, but it was true and pleasing. Alexander Krunev, as his father, had an exceptional bass voice. An entertaining night at the opera.