Opera star straps on corset for Violetta
October 3, 2006 
A new production of La Traviata explores the sexual mores of its late Victorian Dublin setting, and was an intriguing introduction to both Verdi and the delights of corsetry for its outstanding leading lady.
The ENO production cast Emma Bell as an Irish Violetta, negotiating the social and sexual whirl of late Victorian Dublin set against a background of religious conflict.
In an interview with the Guardian newspaper Ms Bell described her joy at the utterly beautiful costume that she dons for the opera, which includes "corseting that gives a shape to die for."
The challenges of producing a corset that emphasises a womanly figure and 30-inch waist, while still allowing vocal performance were not lost on the star, who struggled to breath on her first costume fitting.
She explained that a cunning plan hatched by her dress designer produced a "gorgeous, stretchy, comfortable corset made of micro-mesh," that offers the best of both worlds.
While Ms Bell now trumpets the fact that her "ribcage lives again", audiences at the Coliseum may prefer to enjoy the combination of her soaring vocals and corseted curves.
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