Vancouver Opera’s 2019/2020 season is kicking off with a sumptuous new production of Giuseppe Verdi’s timeless romantic tragedy, La Traviata. In an unprecedented collaboration, Vancouver Opera joins four other Canadian opera companies as they co-present this opera reaching more opera patrons than ever before.
Acclaimed director Alan Gauthier sets La Traviata in the decadent music hall scene of 1920s’ Paris. The opera begins when the curtain rises on Violetta Valéry (the ‘fallen woman’ of the opera’s title), a famous Parisian courtesan who is consumed by love and a life-threatening illness. At a party she is introduced to Alfredo Germont, who proposes a toast to true love. However, darker undercurrents are running beneath the glamorous scene—there are subtle hints of Violetta’ doomed love for Alfredo and the hostility the lovers will encounter when they attempt to break with society’s norms. Pop culture fans will find the nuanced inspiration of La Traviata in Moulin Rouge and Pretty Woman.
“We’re thrilled to be kicking off the season with a new production of one of opera’s best-loved classics,” said Kim Gaynor, Vancouver Opera General Director. “This is the 11th time Vancouver Opera has mounted a main-stage production of La Traviata but the first time we are collaborating with other Canadian opera companies to bring this timeless treasure to the stage. It allows us to fulfill our mission to create extraordinary experiences that engage, inspire and entertain and continue to make them accessible to our patrons.”
First performed at Venice’s Teatro La Fenice in 1853, La Traviata is one of Verdi’s most popular operas, combining high drama with profound emotion and incredible melodies. Emily Dorn makes her anticipated Vancouver Opera debut in the demanding role of Violetta and Andrew Haji sings the part of Alfredo.
Canadian conductor Yves Abel, whose international career spans more than 20 years—including appearances at the Metropolitan Opera, the Royal Opera House and the Vienna State Opera—is making his Vancouver Opera debut with La Traviata. “La Traviata has an ability to humanize people; to show that they have two sides,” explains Abel. “Verdi shows us that people are not demons or angels—they’re imperfect human beings who go through life making mistakes.”
Opening night of La Traviata is Thursday October 17 at 7:30pm, with subsequent evening performances on Saturday October 19 and Thursday October 24 at 7:30pm, and a 2:00pm matinee on Sunday October 27. All performances take place at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre (Georgia and Hamilton), Vancouver. Tickets start at $50 and are available at the Vancouver Opera Ticket Centre, by telephone (604-683-0222), or online at www.vancouveropera.ca.
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