Now is your chance to find out.

Every year, more than 15,000 people flock to Perth’s picturesque Supreme Court Gardens for an experience like no other, soaking up some of the world’s most iconic operas under a starry sky.

This Saturday, West Australian Opera and City of Perth will present Verdi’s beloved La Traviata, for the 2019 edition of the event.

A masterpiece of love, hope and second chances, Verdi’s enchanting score tells the story of Violetta, a troubled courtesan harbouring a dark secret.

Considered the crowning jewel in Verdi’s entire remarkable repertoire, the opera will be sung in Italian with English subtitles.

Talented soprano Elena Perroni will charm audiences on the evening with her performance of Violetta.

A 2018 graduate at the internationally acclaimed Curtis Institute of Music, Perroni was destined for a life on the stage.

The 29-year-old talent was born in Western Australia to a family of Sicilians.

Her maternal grandfather left Sicily for Australia in 1939, while her grandmother arrived Down Under in 1944, on the last ship before World War II broke out.

Meanwhile on her paternal side, her father migrated to Australia from the southern Italian island with his family in 1959, when he was just 11 years old.

With Sicilian blood running through her veins from both sides, Perroni has a strong connection with her Italian roots.

“Growing up, I was fortunate to visit Sicily often, and I still do in my adult life as my parents return annually,” she says.

“Not only am I an Italian citizen and feel connected to the country, I can confidently say, I eat like an Italian too!”

And she also sings like one.

Raised on traditional Neapolitan songs, Perroni believes her Italian upbringing strongly influenced her musical journey, driven by a passion which was sparked early on.

“I remember being enamoured with the music in Walt Disney films, particularly the music written for the films in the 1950s,” she recalls.

“It was my first understanding of telling a story through song.

“Now, my passion for opera continues to grow the further I delve into it.” 

This is the second year Perroni will perform before a home crowd for City of Perth Opera in the Park, in an experience she says is very different from performing indoors.

“Being amplified for a venue is always a challenge for me,” she says.

“We are trained to sing without amplification so when there is a microphone attached to me, I always need to remind myself to resist the temptation of singing into the microphone and to continue to sing the way I would in a theatre.

“And, of course, there is always the fear of a mosquito flying into my mouth at the wrong time!”

Rogue mosquitoes aside, Perroni is looking forward to performing a Verdi classic for this unique event.

“I love this opera because it continues to surprise me,” she exclaims.

“I think it is one of Verdi’s best-known operas for a reason!

“I feel like no matter how long I study this score it continually teaches me.”

The compelling performer says preparing the role of Violetta has taught her many new things both technically and musically.

“Violetta is a character of selfless love, based on Marguerite Gautier from the novel La Dame aux Camelias, (who is based on the real life Marie Duplessis),” she explains.

“I love how Verdi captures the human quality of Violetta and the scope of her emotions throughout the opera.”

As she prepares to get into costume and grace the stage, Perroni has one wish for her audience on Saturday:

“I hope they enjoy the music, the story and themselves!”

If you’re unable to attend the event, not to worry: it will be live-streamed here, so you won’t miss one note!