LA TRAVIATA NOT TRIVIAL

   For the umpteenth time I saw the opera "La Traviata". This Indianapolis production at Clowes Hall lives up to the others I have seen. It is wonderful that the Indianapolis Opera never disappoints.


   "La Traviata" literally means the fallen woman. The gorgeous music was composed by Giuseppe Verdi. The libretto was written by Francesco Maria Piave. The story is based upon "La Dame aux Camelias" by Alexandre Dumas fils. The moral is that a wayward woman can have a heart of gold. The two creators originally titled the opera, "Violetta", but changed it later. 


   This production features the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra with James Caraher expertly conducting the sumptuous music of Verdi. I was particularly enthralled with the familiar music in the first act. Maureen O'Flynn beautifully sang the role of the courtesan, Violetta. Her"Sempre Libera" in the first act greatly impressed me.


         Usually this opera is performed in three acts, however IO's version is in four acts with two fifteen minute intermissions. These intermissions do not occur when you expect them. The first one comes after act one, the second after act three. In the three act version  acts three and four are combined. The last act happens in Violetta's bedroom where she dies without coughing. It usually is a small set inserted in front of the huge third act scenery. In IO's opera all four sets are enormous, especially the last act with its huge windows. The set designer was Peter Dean Beck. He made it easy for the performers to move. You could tell that director Joachim Schamberger appreciated Beck's creativity. This massive production deserves kudos  to the Production Stage Manager Deborah Jo Barrett who had mountains of humanity to keep track of in the first and third acts. Chorus Master John A. Schmid did a wonderful job with his chorus.
       Scott  Piper portraying  Alfredo, Violetta's love interest, did not grab me in the opening act with its famous drinking song. He grew on me as the opera progressed.  Richard Paul Fink as Alfredo's father had his moments,  but nothing could take the show away from the brilliance of Maureen O'Flynn.
       Next season looks promising with Madama Butterfly" in Sept. at Clowes. The next double billing at Basile Center is interesting . "A Water Bird Talk" is a lecture to an Audubon Society gone awry. "Bon Appetit" is in humorous homage to Julia Child. In March is the intriguing , "Opera Goes to the Movies" at Clowes. The 2011-2012 season ends in May with the magical, "Faust".