[opera] La Traviata, Sunday May 16 at the Academy

[supercheesegirl]

Mom and I saw the last opera of this season, La Traviata, on Sunday. It was really amazing. It's the story of a courtesan who falls in love and gives up her life of luxury to be with her lover, then gives him up at his family's demand, only to die friendless and in poverty. The lead, Leah Partridge, did an amazing job--her voice just soared. Mom and I were both in tears at the end when the lover, who'd been deceived, comes rushing in to the sickroom and she dies in his arms.

The sets were amazing, too--the backdrop to the entire production was a huge mirror that hung over the stage. In the first two acts, set during happy times (a party the night the lovers first meet, and in the garden of the home they share in the country for three months), the mirror reflects back the scene, making the party look larger, the garden look more lush. Act 3 takes place at a party at another courtesan's home, and the mirror opens up--the guests enter through the mirror and descend a red-carpeted staircase. The stage is lit in red and it sets the tone for the whole scene--the party's opulence, and also the red-hot anger of the lover. In the last scene, the mirror is broken and dirty, reflecting Violetta's dire straits. Overall a really striking technique.

However, the amazing sets necessitated a break after every act: after the first act, a brief pause for a few moments, and then two full intermissions after the second and third acts. Mom and I were getting really worried about catching our train. We ran out right after the last act and didn't stay to applaud.

Still, though, I'd say that this was probably our favorite opera so far (including the ones we've seen this year and also Hansel and Gretel in November 2007 and The Italian Girl in Algiers in November 2008, both of which were quite good and neither of which I seem to have posted about at the time).

We really loved the opera this season and have already purchased our tickets for next season's Academy performances: Otello, Romeo and Juliet, and Tosca. (We may also try to get tickets for The Cunning Little Vixen, which is at the Perelman Theater instead of the Academy, but it's a small venue and tickets go fast.)

Comments

[moonshadow.livejournal.com]

Thanks for posting. I have never been to the opera and I'm not sure I'd like it - but this gave me a little window into what might be enjoyable about it.t

[supercheesegirl.livejournal.com]

This was a good opera to see because a lot of the music was familiar--especially some of the upbeat dinner party pieces were things I recognized right away and didn't know were opera. The singing was just amazing, too, it was worth it for that alone.