Kim Kardashian and Kanye West were just two of the stars in Rome for the Valentino-costumed Verdi.

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West were just two of the stars in Rome on Sunday for a preview performance of Teatro dell-Opera di Roma’s production of La Traviata. West’s assessment of the Verdi was a concise “awesome,” while Kardashian was a little more effusive. “My husband always takes me to the opera – we love to go.” Also in attendance were Elizabeth Hurley, Luke Evans, Monica Bellucci, Diane von Fustenburg and Keira Knightley (along with husband James Righton, whose band the Klaxons performed at the after-party). Kardashian apparently enjoyed the event, tweeting selfies with both Garavani and Bellucci.

Kim Kardashian West on Twitter

The production has been a coup for the financially struggling Teatro dell-Opera di Roma, who were thrilled when Valentino Garavani, the founder of the Valentino fashion house, offered to supply the costumes. Garavani himself designed the costumes for Violetta (sung by Italian soprano Francesca Dotto) while Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli, who head the Valentino brand following Garavani’s retirement, designed the costumes for the rest of the cast. Garavani is not the only big name in this production, with Oscar-winning film-maker Sofia Coppola making her debut as an opera director. Award-winning English designer Nathan Crowley (who designed the sets for Batman Begins and The Dark Knight) designed the sets.

^{Italian soprano Francesca Dotto wearing Valentino in Verdi’s La Traviata}

Harnessing Hollywood star-power has proved to be a major daw-card for the beleagured opera company, with all 15 shows sold out. Guardian reviewer James Imam was less enamoured than West, praising Violetta’s dresses but condemning “park and bark” performances. His cutting verdict: “Coppola’s torpid and traditional reading of La Traviata has little to distinguish it from any routine production to be found in any provincial theatre.” Nonetheless, the production has been a spectacular financial and public relations success – even before the official opening night – which suggests we may well see other opera companies following suit, recruiting talent from Hollywood to reach new audiences.