Verdi’s universally loved La Traviata returns to Seattle Opera for the first time in 13 years as the company presents nine performances, with two casts, through Oct. 31.

Arguably Verdi’s most popular work, La Traviata is the story of a worldly courtesan struggling to hold on to the man of her dreams. It is a tale of love, strife, and human drama.

Opening night will feature Italian soprano Nuccia Focile as the glamorous courtesan Violetta. Focile has appeared at Seattle Opera as Mimì in Puccini’s Bohème, Nedda in Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci, and the title role in Gluck’s Iphigenia in Tauris.

American tenor Dimitri Pittas makes his Seattle Opera debut as Violetta’s true love, Alfredo, a role he has performed at the Metropolitan Opera and Opéra de Montréal. American baritone Charles Taylor, who made his Seattle Opera debut last season as Amonasro in Verdi’s Aida, sings the role of Germont.

The Sunday/Friday cast features Cuban soprano Eglise Gutiérrez and Italian tenor Francesco Demuro as the lovers. Gutiérrez, who recently made an Royal Opera Covent Garden debut in the title role of Donizetti’s Linda di Chaumonix, came first to Seattle Opera in 2008 as Elvira in Bellini’s Puritani. Demuro, a new voice on the opera scene, has engagements now in many important European houses. American baritone Weston Hurt makes his Seattle Opera debut as Germont.

La Traviata runs from Oct. 17-31. Single tickets range from $25 to $175 and are available online at seattleopera.org, by calling 206.389.7676 or 800.426.1619, or by mobile phone at mobile.seattleopera.org. Tickets may also be purchased at the Box Office by visiting 1020 John Street (two blocks west of Fairview), Monday to Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.