Portland Opera - La Traviata
La traviata became an instant success, especially with female audiences, and Violetta's agonising ability to touch us is still vividly realised at every performance of the opera
The Guardian
Why see Portland Opera - La Traviata?
Verdi's Tragic Masterpiece
An immensely popular staple of the modern operatic repertoire, Verdi's La Traviata raised more than a few eyebrows when it premiered in Venice in 1853. Navigating the turbulent waters of sexual politics and unfair societal pressures, its titular fallen woman was years ahead of her time, and Italian censors demanded the composer made the herione more palatable to public tastes. Luckily Verdi ignored his critics, and so did his listening public, and the stirring opera continues to enjoy a triumphant and enduring career.
Making use of sweeping sets and lavish costumes, the Portland Opera presents a grand adaptation of the classic, welcoming Romanian soprano Aurelia Florian in her debut as Violetta Valery and American tenor Jonathan Boyd in the role of Alfredo Germont. The toast of mid 19th-century Paris, Violetta is a famed courtesan who falls in love with romantic nobleman Alfredo. When Alfredo's family learn of this and the couple's impending destitution, they implore Violetta to give him up so that scandal does not engulf them, with tragic consequences for all.
Reviews
Customer reviews
1 reviews, average rating: (4.0 Stars)
Annette
Triste ma bella
Sad but beautiful - this was a very worthwhile Traviata. The sets
unobtrusively conveyed the right tone and did not upstage the singers. The
entire cast was in good voice. Alfredo and his father were both excellent
singers and overall conveyed their parts well. A touch more remorse in
Giorgio at the end would have helped emphasize his change of heart. And
Alfredo could have been a touch more angry in the second ballroom scene
and a touch more heartbroken in the final scene. Ma che magnifica Violetta!
Traviata depends on empathy for Violetta. Not only was the part well sung
(soft and sweet to soaring and thrilling), but the performance was very
moving. My gold standard for Traviata is the Zeffirelli movie with Placido
Domingo as Alfredo and Teresa Stratas as Violetta (I rate it 5 hankies).
Portland Opera has come close, with 4 hankies. Definitely go see it, and bring
your teenagers to show them the magic of opera. ... Read more
NEWS, TICKETS, THEATRE & MORE
"Broadway and show news straight to your inbox!"
Read how we protect your data .