
La traviata 1997
The elegant world of the Parisian demimonde…
…is the backdrop for Verdi’s passionate story of honor and loyalty, as a beautiful courtesan sacrifices her happiness for true love.
Synopsis
Act I
In her Paris salon, the courtesan Violetta Valéry greets party guests, including Flora Bervoix, the Marquis d’Obigny, Baron Douphol, and Gastone, who introduces a new admirer, Alfredo Germont. This young man, having adored Violetta from afar, joins her in a drinking song (Brindisi: Libiamo). An orchestra is heard in the next room, but as guests move there to dance, Violetta suffers a fainting spell, sends the guests on ahead, and goes to her parlor to recover. Alfredo comes in, and since they are alone, confesses his love (Un dì felice). At first Violetta protests that love means nothing to her. Something about the young man’s sincerity touches her, however, and she promises to meet him the next day. After the guests have gone, Violetta wonders if Alfredo could actually be the man she could love (Ah, fors’è lui). But she decides she wants freedom (Sempre libera), though Alfredo’s voice, heard outside, argues in favor of romance.
Artists

Patricia Racette
Soprano
Violetta Valéry

Raymond Very
Tenor
Alfredo Germont

Beth Clayton
Mezzo-soprano
Flora Bervoix

William Stone
Baritone
Giorgio Germont

Beau Palmer
Tenor
Gastone

John Atkins
Baritone
Baron Douphol

George Cordes
Bass-baritone
Doctor Grenvil

María Benítez
Choreographer/Dancer
(June 27 - Aug. 12 & 19)

Molly Rose
Dancer
(August 16 & 23)

Judd Ernster
Bass
Marquis d'Obigny

Carissa Casbon
Soprano
Annina

Brian Frutiger
Tenor
Giuseppe

Derrick Ballard
Bass
A Commissioner

Patrick Carfizzi
Bass-Baritone
Flora's servant

John Crosby
Conductor
(June 27 - July 9)

Christopher Larkin
Conductor
(July 18 - August 23)

Linda Brovsky
Director

Robert Perdziola
Scenic Designer

David Walker
Costume Designer

Duane Schuler
Lighting Designer

María Benítez
Choreographer/Dancer

Gary Wedow
Chorus Master