La Traviata: A Woman Gone Astray

Hong-Shen Li, Alfredo, and Tamara Allspaugh, Violetta (photo DA)

One of Giuseppe Verdi's most popular operas, La Traviata, will open on February 11 in the Harlen Adams Theatre. Set in 1890s Paris, it is based on the stormy and tragic love between Violetta Valery and Alfredo. Director Ying Yeh remarked on the honor it is to have veteran soprano Tamara Allspaugh and world renowned tenor Hong-Shen Li perform lead roles.

The cast includes other talented performers: Paul Yoch as Germont and Pam Thornton and Carianne Wrona sharing the role of Flora.

Even those new to opera are encouraged to venture out for this production. The story is popular and accessible; the elaborate European-style set is a pleasure to see, and many of the songs are recognizable and enduring. The Italian script will be translated into super titles in English, so that no one need fear missing the meaning.

Presenting an opera entirely in Italian is a first for Chico. Performers Yoch, Thornton, and Wrona all agreed that it was a challenge not only to learn how to pronounce the language correctly, but to also understand what they were saying. The best advice they could give the audience is to find information on La Traviata before seeing it. At the very least, they suggest reading the program notes before the performance begins. They will be working hard to portray emotions through their voices and their actions to help with understanding.

The show will run from February 11_13 at 7:30 p.m. and February 14 at 2 p.m. in the Harlen Adams Theater.

CD