La traviata 1980
The tragic story of Violetta…
…the beautiful courtesan who forsakes her life in Paris for love.
Synopsis
Act I
The scene is set in and around Paris in the 1840’s. Despite persistent illness, the courtesan Violetta Valery entertains as usual, insisting that she can only live a life dedicated to pleasure. She is introduced to Alfredo, a young man from the provinces with whom she flirts. Alfredo finds her at a moment when she cannot disguise her illness. Violetta is touched by his concern for her as Alfredo declares his love. Violetta offers friendship and tells him to call on her again when the camellia she gives him has faded. Alfredo leaves, and Violetta is torn between a desire for the romance he offers and her life of pleasure.
Act II
Violetta and Alfredo are now living happily in the country. However, Alfredo learns from Annina, Violetta’s maid, that she has been secretly selling her jewels to support them. Alfredo rushes to Paris to borrow money so that he can reimburse Violetta. While Alfredo is gone, his father calls on Violetta. The elder Germont finally begs Violetta to break off the liaison because the scandal threatens his daughter’s forthcoming marriage. Reluctantly, Violetta agrees to make the sacrifice demanded of her. When Alfredo returns, Violetta assures him of her love, but then departs, leaving him a note in which she claims she is returning to a former client in Paris. The elder Germont returns to console Alfredo, but Alfredo leaves to find Violetta and seek revenge.
Act III
Alfredo and Violetta meet at a gambling party given by another courtesan, Flora. Alfredo antagonizes the Baron for whom he believes Violetta has left him. Violetta begs Alfredo to leave the party, but instead he makes a scene, publicly denouncing and humiliating Violetta. Furiously he casts all his winnings from the gambling table at her feet. She faints in the arms of Flora and Grenvil. Alfredo’s father arrives and reprimands Alfredo for insulting Violetta while the Baron challenges him to a duel.
Act IV
Violetta now lies dying. She re-reads a letter from Germont saying that he has told his son of her sacrifice and that Alfredo will return to beg her forgiveness. When Alfredo arrives, they are joyously reunited and plan to leave Paris so she may recover her health. She tries to dress, but collapses. Violetta recounts the happiness they have experienced and the joy she now feels once again, as she dies in Alfredo’s arms.
Artists
Ashley Putnam
Soprano
Violetta Valery
Ashley Putnam
Hometown: New York, NY
SFO Debut:
Venere/Apollo’s Attendant, L’Egisto, 1976
Santa Fe Opera Apprentice: 1973, 1975
Past Seasons:
Marschallin, Der Rosenkavalier, 1992
Marschallin, Der Rosenkavalier, 1989
Fiordiligi, Così fan tutte, 1988 (July 2 – August 11)
Countess Almaviva, The Marriage of Figaro, 1987 (July 17)
Danae, Die Liebe der Danae, 1985
Danae, Die Liebe der Danae, 1982
Violetta, La traviata, 1980
Lucia, Lucia di Lammermoor, 1979
Elena, The Italian Straw Hat, 1977
Angel More, The Mother of Us All, 1976
Street-Seller, La vida breve, 1975
Forester’s Wife/ A Screechowl, The Cunning Little Vixen, 1975
Sylviane, The Merry Widow, 1973
Michael Cousins
Tenor
Alfredo Germont
Michael Cousins
Hometown: Burr Ridge, IL
SFO Debut:
Edgardo, Lucia di Lammermoor, 1979
Past Seasons:
Alfredo, La traviata, 1980
One of the Called, Die Jakobsleiter, 1980
Brent Ellis
Baritone
Giorgio Germont
Brent Ellis
Hometown: Kansas City, MO
SFO Debut:
Sharpless, Madame Butterfly, 1972
Santa Fe Opera Apprentice: 1966, 1967
Past Seasons:
Giorgio Germont, La traviata, 1989
Kunrad, Feuersnot, 1988
Figaro, The Marriage of Figaro, 1985
The Confidence Man, The Confidence Man, 1982
Marcello, La bohème, 1981
Germont, La traviata, 1980
Enrico Ashton, Lucia di Lammermoor, 1979 (July 5 – August 4)
Germont, La traviata, 1976 (July 30 – August 28)
Ford, Falstaff, 1975
Guglielmo, Così fan tutte, 1975 (August 9 – 22)
Escamillo, Carmen, 1975 (August 2, 15)
Marcello, La bohème, 1974
Ipparco, L’Egisto, 1974
Marcello, La bohème, 1973
Second Nazarene, Salome, 1972
Masetto, Don Giovanni, 1972
Celeste Barrett
Mezzo-soprano
Flora Bervoix
Celeste Barrett
Hometown: Oklahoma
Santa Fe Opera Apprentice: 1980
Past Seasons:
Flora Bervoix, La traviata, 1980
Michael van Engen
Bass
Marquis d'Obigny
Michael van Engen
Hometown: Iowa
Santa Fe Opera Apprentice: 1979, 1980
Past Seasons:
Marquis d’Obigny, La traviata, 1980
Second Priest, The Magic Flute, 1980
Second Priest, The Magic Flute, 1979
First Nazarene, Salome, 1979
Michael Fiacco
Tenor
Gastone
Michael Fiacco
Hometown: North Tonawanda, NY
SFO Debut:
Orchis, The Confidence Man, 1982
Santa Fe Opera Apprentice: 1980, 1981
Past Seasons:
Warrant Officer/Madman 1, We come to the River, 1984
Gastone, La traviata, 1980
A Young Servant, Elektra, 1980
Daniel S. Gale
Baritone
Baron Duphol
Daniel S. Gale
Hometown: Michigan
Santa Fe Opera Apprentice: 1980
Past Seasons:
Baron Duphol, La traviata, 1980
Greg Ryerson
Bass
Doctor Grenvil
Greg Ryerson
Hometown: Fremont, NE
SFO Debut:
Doctor, We Come to the River, 1984
Santa Fe Opera Apprentice: 1980, 1982
Past Seasons:
Watchman, Die Liebe der Danae, 1982
Missourian, The Confidence Man, 1982
Dr. Grenvil, La traviata, 1980
Orest’s Guardian, Elektra, 1980
Alexandra Hughes
Mezzo-soprano
Annina
Alexandra Hughes
Hometown: New York, NY
SFO Debut:
Dryade, Ariadne auf Naxos, 1990
Santa Fe Opera Apprentice: 1980, 1982
Past Seasons:
Annina, La traviata, 1980
Kenneth Berkeley-Korpela
Tenor
Giuseppe
Kenneth Berkeley-Korpela
Hometown: Massachusetts
Santa Fe Opera Apprentice: 1980
Past Seasons:
Giuseppe. La traviata, 1980
Harry Musselwhite
Bass
A Messenger
Harry Musselwhite
Hometown: Georgia
Santa Fe Opera Apprentice: 1980
Past Seasons:
A Messenger, La traviata, 1980
Kyle Hancock
Bass
Flora's Servant
Kyle Hancock
Hometown: Ohio
Santa Fe Opera Apprentice: 1979, 1980
Past Seasons:
Flora’s Servant, La traviata, 1980
Second Armored Man, The Magic Flute, 1980
Theater Manager/Banker, Lulu, 1979
Susan Hartley
Dancer
Susan Hartley
Hometown: Santa Fe, NM
SFO Debut:
La traviata, 1980
Past Seasons:
A Peasant Girl, Eugene Onegin, 1980
Joseph Rich
Dancer
Joseph Rich
SFO Debut:
La Traviata, 1980
Past Seasons:
A Peasant Boy, Eugene Onegin, 1980
John Crosby
Conductor
John Crosby
Hometown: New York, NY
SFO Debut:
Madame Butterfly, 1957
Past Seasons:
La traviata, 2002
The Egyptian Helen, 2001
Elektra, 2000
Countess Maritza, 1999
Ariadne auf Naxos, 1999
Madame Butterfly, 1998
Salome, 1998
La traviata, 1997
Arabella, 1997
Madame Butterfly, 1996
Daphne, 1996
Countess Maritza, 1995
Salome, 1995
Tosca, 1994 (July 1 – 15)
Intermezzo, 1994
La bohème, 1993 (July 2 – 16)
Capriccio, 1993
Die Fledermaus, 1992
Der Rosenkavalier, 1992
La traviata, 1991 (June 28 – July 6)
Die schweigsame Frau, 1991
La bohème, 1990
Ariadne auf Naxos, 1990
La traviata, 1989 (June 30 – July 12)
Der Rosenkavalier, 1989
Die Fledermaus, 1988
Feuersnot, 1988
Friedenstag, 1988
Madame Butterfly, 1987
Die schweigsame Frau, 1987
Die Fledermaus, 1986
The Egyptian Helen, 1986
Orpheus in the Underworld, 1985
Die Liebe der Danae, 1985
A Florentine Tragedy, 1984
Violanta, 1984
Intermezzo, 1984
Orpheus in the Underworld, 1983
Arabella, 1983
Die Fledermaus, 1982
Die Liebe der Danae, 1982
La bohème, 1981
Daphne, 1981
La traviata, 1980
Elektra, 1980
The Grand Duchesse of Gerolstein, 1979
Lucia di Lammermoor, 1979
Salome, 1979
Tosca, 1978
Salome, 1978
The Italian Straw Hat, 1977
Fedora, 1977
La traviata, 1976
Salome, 1976
Carmen, 1975
La bohème, 1974
The Grand Duchesse of Gerolstein, 1974
La bohème, 1973
The Merry Widow, 1973
The Grand Duchesse of Gerolstein, 1972
Madame Butterfly, 1972
Salome, 1972
Don Carlo, 1971
The Grand Duchesse of Gerolstein, 1971
La traviata, 1970
Anna Bolena, 1970
Tosca, 1969
Salome, 1969
Madame Butterfly, 1968
La traviata, 1968
Der Rosenkavalier, 1968
Carmen, 1967
La bohème, 1967
Tosca, 1966
Capriccio, 1966
Rigoletto, 1966
La traviata, 1965
Madame Butterfly, 1965
Arabella, 1965
Rigoletto, 1964
Daphne, 1964
La bohème, 1964 (August 22 & 28)
Die Fledermaus, 1963
Madame Butterfly, 1963
Der Rosenkavalier, 1963
Salome, 1962
Oedipus Rex, 1962 (and Director)
Perséphone, 1962
Tosca, 1962
Der Rosenkavalier, 1961
La bohème, 1961
The Gondoliers, 1960
Tosca, 1960
Die Fledermaus, 1959
Madame Butterfly, 1959
La bohème, 1958
Wuthering Heights, 1958
Capriccio, 1958
Bodo Igesz
Director
Bodo Igesz
Hometown: Amsterdam, Netherlands
SFO Debut:
Cardillac, 1967
Past Seasons:
La traviata, 1980
Die Jakobsleiter, 1980
The Flying Dutchman, 1973
Don Giovanni, 1972
Melusine, 1972
The Flying Dutchman, 1971
The Bassarids, 1968
Perséphone, 1968
Die Jakobsleiter, 1968
Paul Steinberg
Scenic Designer
Paul Steinberg
Hometown: New York, NY
SFO Debut:
Così fan tutte, 1977 (Scenic & Costume Designer)
Past Seasons:
The Flying Dutchman, 2023
The Beggar’s Opera, 1992 (Scenic & Costume Designer)
Count Ory, 1978
La traviata, 1980
John David Ridge
Costume Designer
John David Ridge
Hometown: Worthington, OH
SFO Debut:
La traviata, 1980
Past Seasons:
Don Pasquale, 1983
Craig Miller
Lighting Designer
Craig Miller
Hometown: Hugoton, KS
SFO Debut:
The Grand Duchess of Gerolstein, 1979
Past Seasons:
Don Giovanni, 1996
La fanciulla del West, 1995
La bohème, 1993
The Magic Flute, 1993
Capriccio, 1993
The Protagonist, 1993
The Tsar Has His Photograph Taken, 1993
Die Fledermaus, 1992
Don Giovanni, 1992
The Beggar’s Opera, 1992
Der Rosenkavalier, 1992
The Sorrows of Young Werther, 1992
La traviata, 1991
The Marriage of Figaro, 1991
La fanciulla de West, 1991
Oedipus, 1991
La bohème, 1990
Così fan tutte, 1990
Orfeo ed Euridice, 1990
Ariadne auf Naxos, 1990
Judith, 1990
La traviata, 1989
La Calisto, 1989
Der Rosenkavalier, 1989
A Night at the Chinese Opera, 1989
Die Fledermaus, 1988
Così fan tutte, 1988
Feuersnot, 1988
Friedenstag, 1988
The Black Mask, 1988
Madame Butterfly, 1987
The Marriage of Figaro, 1988
Ariodante, 1988
Die schweigsame Frau, 1987
The Nose, 1987
Die Fledermaus, 1986
The Magic Flute, 1986
The Egyptian Helen, 1986
The King Goes Forth to France,1986
The Marriage of Figaro, 1985
The English Cat, 1985
The Tempest, 1985
A Florentine Tragedy, 1984
Violanta, 1984
The Magic Flute, 1984
Intermezzo, 1984
We Come to the River, 1984
Orpheus in the Underworld, 1983
Don Pasquale, 1983
Arabella, 1983
L’Orione, 1983
The Turn of the Screw, 1983
Die Fledermaus, 1982
The Marriage of Figaro, 1982
Die Liebe der Danae, 1982
The Confidence Man, 1982
La bohème, 1981
Daphne, 1981
The Rake’s Progress, 1981
News of the Day, 1981
La traviata, 1980
The Magic Flute, 1980
Erwartung, 1980
Von Heute auf Morgan, 1980
Elektra, 1980
Lucia di Lammermoor, 1979
The Magic Flute, 1979
Lulu, 1979
Salome, 1979
Francis Patrelle
Choreographer
Francis Patrelle
Hometown: Philadelphia, PA
SFO Debut:
La traviata, 1980
Past Seasons:
Eugene Onegin, 1980
George Manahan
Conductor
Chorus Master
George Manahan
Hometown: Atlanta, GA
SFO Debut:
Von Heute auf Morgen, 1980
Previous Seasons:
The Last Savage, 2011
Emmeline, 1996
The Marriage of Figaro, 1995
Modern Painters, 1995
Tosca, 1994 (July 22 – August 27)
Blond Eckbert, 1994
The Magic Flute, 1993
The Protagonist, 1993
The Tsar Has His Photograph Taken, 1993
Don Giovanni, 1992
The Sorrows of Young Werther, 1992
The Marriage of Figaro, 1991 (August 10 – 23)
Oedipus, 1991
A Night at the Chinese Opera, 1989
The Black Mask, 1988
The Marriage of Figaro, 1987
The Magic Flute, 1986
The English Cat, 1985
The Magic Flute, 1984
The Barber of Seville, 1981 Chorus Master; (Conductor, August 22 – 27)
The Rake’s Progress, 1981 Chorus Master; (Conductor, July 29)
La bohème, 1981 (Chorus Master)
Daphne, 1981 (Chorus Master)
News of the Day, 1981 (Chorus Master)
La traviata, 1980 (Chorus Master)
The Magic Flute, 1980 (Chorus Master)
Eugene Onegin, 1980 (Chorus Master)
Elektra, 1980 (Chorus Master)
Die Jakobsleiter, 1980 (Chorus Master)
La traviata 1980
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