Love and death arrives in Austria

An operatic tale of love and death will play in Austria this summer, giving those taking a holiday in the nation a chance to soak up some of its musical culture.

During August, Verdi's La Traviata will play in St Margarethen, focussing on the main protagonist Violetta, the laidback courtesan, reports oeticket.com.

Robert Herzl will direct the "sensitiveness and sensational" opera.

He told the website: "We will develop a production which not only takes into account the splendidness of the stage but also the intimacy of the story line. I am sure that we will succeed."

The opera charts Alfredo Germont's love for Violetta and his pursuit of the beauty, who at first resists his wishes.

According to the Lonely Planet travel guide, Austria is a country which flaunts its heritage in "exuberant fashion".

It adds that the nation is a land of "dizzying peaks, cobalt lakes and rushing rivers", which create a "breathtaking backdrop" for those exploring the countryside to enjoy.