With most Covid restrictions being lifted and the weather getting warmer it is time to get out of the house and have new experiences. One you might want to try is attending the Calgary Opera and seeing La Traviata, the last show of their 49th season here in Calgary. I myself have never attended an Opera but I think I’ll be adding it to my bucket list.
About the Show
Violetta Valéry is a music hall singer in this production. She lives a life of opulence among Parisian socialites, full of fanfare and admirers. She floats from party to party, enjoying a charmed existence, and falls in love with the affluent Alfredo. Her world is shattered when his family disapproves of their courtship. Further devasting events unfold for Violetta and she gives up on her only opportunity for true love.
La Traviata
By Giuseppe Verdi
April 2, 6 & 8, 2022
7:30 pm | Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium
Performed in Italian with projected English translations
Duration: Approximately 3 hours
Tickets from: $39 plus handling fee
To purchase tickets for La Traviata, visit https://calgaryopera.com/21-22/traviata or call 403.262.7286.
ABOUT THE CAST
Stage Director Alain Gauthier was born in Montréal and has worked with opera companies throughout North America, including Opéra de Montréal, the Cincinnati Opera, Austin Lyric Opera, and New York City Opera.
Collaborating with the Opera de Montréal, Mr. Gauthier staged several important works, including Pagliacci/Gianni Schicchi and Dead Man Walking. Critics and patrons have hailed his work on two of the most important productions in the company’s history.
Conductor Gordon Gerrard has a long history with Calgary Opera. He was the first Resident Conductor with Calgary Opera and also worked with Calgary Opera’s McPhee Artist Development Program, (formerly The Emerging Artist Development Program) from 2007 to 2011. During his residency, Mr. Gerrard conducted the Canadian premiere of Mark Adamo’s Little Women, which was recorded for national broadcast on CBC’s Saturday Afternoon at the Opera. He has since returned to the company to conduct Lakmé (2015), Die Fledermaus (2016), and Roméo et Juliette (2018).
Maestro Gerrard is currently in his sixth season as the Music Director of the Regina Symphony Orchestra and is among an exciting generation of music directors, demonstrating new visions for orchestral leadership in Canada.
Debuting with Calgary Opera is American soprano powerhouse Talise Trevigne. Ms. Trevigne played Violetta in 2007 in the UK and was presented with the Royal Philharmonic Award for her portrayal. She also received a Grammy nomination in 2015 for Best Classical Solo Vocal Album for her recording of Christopher Rouse’s Seeing; Kabir Padavali. Highlights of her career include the role of Pip (Moby-Dick), a role specially written for her by composer Jake Heggie.
Performing the male lead of Alfredo Germont is Canadian tenor Andrew Haji. Returning to Calgary Opera after his 2020 performance in Norma, Mr. Haji is one of the most sought-after voices on the operatic and concert stage.
ABOUT CALGARY OPERA
Founded in 1972, Calgary Opera is one of Canada’s most innovative and ambitious professional opera companies. For almost 50 years the not-for-profit arts company has made a name for itself, nationally and internationally for its commitment to the development of Canadian talent and the creation of new operatic works. Through educational and community engagement programs, Calgary Opera fosters a love of music, singing, and theatre in young people and provides opportunities for young artists to develop skills for professional careers in the performing arts industry.
Twitter: @CalgaryOpera
Instagram: @CalgaryOpera
Facebook: /CalgaryOpera
As Calgary Opera brings the 2021/2022 season to a close, plans are underway to announce an exciting line-up to commemorate its 50th anniversary.
“We are so delighted to be once again performing for an audience. The connection created between audiences and performers during a live performance is integral to experiencing the full depth of the stories and music opera offers, and we are so pleased to be presenting La Traviata after being forced to postpone this production. It is a dazzling grand finale for our season and well worth the wait,” says Heather Kitchen, General Director and CEO of Calgary Opera.
Do you have a favourite Opera? Let us know what it is in the comments.
I don’t know if it’s my new hearing aids but the lead voices in La Traviata were outstanding. And really, is the soprano for real. Amazing! I sang in the chorus for years and always got in trouble because my voice was so resonantally big. Talise has that resonance and was truly outstanding. Can’t believe her stamina! The chorus and stage direction were also was great and really well done. A treat to be there and thank you for such a wonderful production.