La Traviata
Music by Giuseppe Verdi
Libretto by Francesco Maria Piave,
based on the play LaDame aux camelias
by Alexandre Dumas
Directed by Arin Arbus
Conductor Massimo Zanetti
At the Lyric Opera of Chicago
Well sung new production of Verdi’s popular tragic opera, La Traviata, is an audience favorite
It has been a long time since I’ve seen La Traviata and I now realize why this Verdi opera is such an audience favorite. It is a hauntingly beautiful piece that contains three juicy roles; one we empathize with (Violetta) and two we loath (Alfredo and Giorgio). I’m happy to report that the new production, now playing at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, features three world-class singers each at the top of their art.
Latvian soprano Marina Rebeka demonstrates her vocal range and , together with her fine acting, makes Violetta a most empathetic figure. We love her and wish that she will keep her lover Alfredo ( Joseph Calleja) despite the intimidation by Giorgia (Quinn Kelsey) Alfredo’s father. I thought Quinn Kelsey’s booming baritone commands his scenes while Joesph Calleja’s smooth tenor lands the famous drinking song: Brindisi: Libiamo ne lieti calici with aplomb. We quickly feels his charm and we see why Violetta loves him. We enjoy the vivid party scene in Paris as seen with costume designer Cait O’Connor’s wild dresses complete with wings and fancy headdresses. The chorus work here is terrific. We are enchanted with the decadent world of hedonistic Paris. The fine use of puppets in the Spanish scenes in act two with the sensual dances enhance the work’s spectacle.
The set ( design by Riccardo Hernandez)is an intriguing mixture of dim lighting and the generous use of shadows (lighting by Marcus Doshi). This foreshadows act two and three that moves to Violetta’s rural house then her bedroom. Act two features the encounter by Alfredo’s father Giorgio with Violetta. Quinn Kelsey’s powerful presence and rich vocals totally intimate the courtesan. The acting here was expert.
But, in act three, Marina Rebeka’s heartfelt performance with her aria: Addio del passato and her finale: Prend, quest ‘e l’ immagine., was totally intoxicating. The lush score from Verdi has so carried us into the romantic and decadent throughout this three hour opera that we love this opera so much that we keeping coming to see it. I totally agree that La Traviata is a fine opera to introduce young folks to the joys and grandeur of opera. The fabulous opera exemplifies how great singing works upon a fine melodious score to produce a stunning spectacle of sound and images. Come enjoy Verdi’s La Traviata.
Highly Recommended
Tom Williams
Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast
Date Reviewed: November 23, 2013
For more info checkout the La Traviata page at theatreinchicago.com
At the Lyric Opera of Chicago, through December 20, 2013