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'La Traviata' Opera to be Staged at Music by the Lake
7/9/2010
AURORA, Ill. — Giuseppe Verdi's operatic classic "La Traviata," sung in Italian with supertitles, will feature some of the nation's finest emerging young performers in the 10th anniversary season of Music by the Lake on Saturday, July 24 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, July 25, at 4 p.m. in The Ferro Pavilion at George Williams College of Aurora University, 350 Constance Blvd. in Williams Bay, Wis.
Christine Flasch, executive director of Music by the Lake, will direct the production.
A special dinner featuring an Italian menu will be available prior to the performance. Tickets are required.
Verdi was born Oct. 9, 1813, in a little town near Busetto, Italy. He was an Italian Romantic composer of operas primarily, and was one of the most influential composers of the 19th century. His work, frequently performed in opera houses throughout the world, transcends the boundaries of the genre, as some of the themes have long since taken root in popular culture — such as "La donne e mobile" from Rigoletto, "Va, pensiero" (The Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves) from Nabucco, "Libiamo ne lieti calici" (The Drinking Song) from La Traviata and the "Grand March" from Aida.
"La Traviata," the story of Violetta Valery in three acts, is based on the character Margeurite Gauthier from Alexandre Dumas fils' great drama, La Dame aux Camelias.
Act I takes place in Violetta's house in Paris around 1850. Welcoming guests to her party, Violetta remarks that pleasure is a drug that makes life bearable. Gastone, a friend, introduces Alfredo Germont, who has admired Violetta from a distance. When all have gone, Violetta questions herself about the strange feelings that Alfredo has aroused in her. After pondering it, she rejects it, declaring that the whirl of giddiness must continue even while Alfredo, outside, repeats his words of love.
Act II takes place in a country house near Paris, five months later. Alfredo has left for Paris when his servant, Giuseppe, announces to Violetta that a gentleman caller wishes to see her. It is Alfredo's father, Giorgio Germont. He asks for a sacrifice. In order for Alfredo's sister to marry respectfully, Violetta must give Alfredo up. She finally agrees. Violetta writes a note telling him that she no longer loves him, and goes off to a party in Paris. Alfredo follows her to the party when he finds her note, and gambles with the men as tensions mount. Germont unexpectedly enters, and denounces his son's behavior. Alfredo denounces Violetta and abandons her.
Act III takes place a month later. Alone and poverty stricken, Violetta lies dying of tuberculosis. Only the faithful maid, Annina, and a friend, Dr. Grenville, still attend her. The doctor tells Annina that she is near the end. Violetta re-reads a letter from Germont saying that Alfredo has left the country, but would be returning to ask her forgiveness. When he enters and they are reunited, they rapturously dream of a new life away from the city, but Violetta falters and cries out against approaching death. She sings her last words with all her remaining breath, then collapses in Alfredo's arms.
Principals are Rochelle Bard (Violetta), Worcester, Mass.; Joel Burcham (Alfredo), Nashville, Tenn.; Jacob Lassetter (Germont), San Antonio, Texas; Rosalind Lee (Annina), Oak Park, Ill.; John Warren (Gastone), Zion, Ill.; Gregory Lewis (Barone Douphol), Seattle, Wash.; Dale Porter (Marchese d'Obigny), Milwaukee; Neal Medina (Dottore Grenvil), Elk Grove, Ill.; Holly Gash (Violetta cover), Pensacola, Fla.
These performances are supported in part by Young Artist Underwriter Harold Hartshorne, Jr.
The Sundays at 4 Series performances are underwritten in part by the generous support of the Judith and John Graff Charitable Fund.
The Main Stage series continues with:
- Singer, composer and pianist Ann Hampton Callaway will perform her signature songs in a tribute to Ella Fitzgerald with Jeff Lindberg's Chicago Jazz Orchestra on Saturday, Aug. 7, at 7:30 p.m. This performance is underwritten in part by the generous support of The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Foundation.
Sundays at 4 Concerts continue with:
- Frank Almond, acclaimed concertmaster of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and renowned violinist, will perform with internationally recognized, award-winning pianist William Wolfram in a stunning duo recital on Sunday, Aug. 1, at 4 p.m. Both are Juilliard-trained soloists. Almond will play a 1715 Stradivarius violin in a spectacular program showcasing the artist in solo and duet repertoire.
The season finale Pritzker Spotlight Concert is:
- Grammy Award winner Peter Frampton on Saturday, Aug. 14, at 7:30 p.m. Frampton, one of the most celebrated artists and guitarists in rock history, has one of the top-selling live records of all time. He received a 2006 Grammy Award for the all-instrumental work, "Fingerprints," and his most recent album, "Thank You Mr. Churchill," is an autobiographical collection. This performance is generously underwritten by The J.B. and M.K. Pritzker Family Foundation.
Single ticket prices for the Main Stage Series and Sundays at 4 Series range from $75 to $15. Seating is available in the Dress Circle, Orchestra, Rear Orchestra and Terrace (varies by performance). (Terrace seating is not available for Sundays at 4 Series performances on July 18 and Aug. 1.) Outdoor lawn seating is available at all Saturday evening performances for $15 per ticket. Available tickets for the Spotlight Concert are $35 to $15.
For more information or tickets, call 866-843-5200 toll free or 262-245-8501, or e-mail mbtl@aurora.edu. Visit the website at www.musicbythelake.com for secure online ordering.
The 2010 Music by the Lake concert series is generously supported by Platinum sponsors Fairwyn Investment and Development; Gold sponsors Grand Geneva, Keefe Real Estate (Honorary Presenting Sponsor), and Scherrer Construction; Silver sponsors Aurora Health Care, Balestrieri Development and Environmental, Inc., Community Bank Delavan, HGA Architects and Engineers, Lake Geneva Cruise Line and Gage Marine, M&I Bank, Sodexo Campus Services, Voyager Capital Management, LLC, Walworth State Bank, and Wells Fargo Private Bank.
Aurora University is an inclusive community dedicated to the transformative power of learning. Approximately 4,000 degree-seeking students are enrolled each year on the university's Illinois and Wisconsin campuses, and the university is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association to award degrees at the baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral levels. The George Williams College campus offers 16 academic programs, unique conference facilities, and is home to Music by the Lake and other education and enrichment programs.
Note: Media may download print-quality photos by going to the Music by the Lake press room at www.musicbythelake.com/press.
