With its stellar production of "La Traviata" this week, San Diego Opera ends its season on a high night, actually lots of high notes, and all of them well landed by the opera's talented cast.
Performing her signature role as the consumptive courtesan Violetta (which she has sung around the world since 2005), American soprano Elizabeth Futral is thrilling in all ways ---- she glides gloriously through the role's vocal acrobatics, sings with emotion, power and beauty, and throws her whole body into acting the challenging role. San Diego Opera audiences got a brief taste of Futral as Nedda in 2008's "Pagliacci," but in "La Traviata" they get to see a real showcase for her formidable singing and acting skills.
Written by Giuseppe Verdi in four weeks in 1853, "La Traviata" is based on Alexander Dumas' autobiographical play "La Dame Aux Camelias." Set in Paris in the mid-1800s, it is the story of the courtesan Violetta, who, upon returning to society after a near-fatal bout with tuberculosis, meets Alfredo, the son of a wealthy gentleman from Provence. At first she resists his amorous advances, but soon they are living together in the country and Violetta is supporting them both (Alfredo's disapproving father, Germont, has cut off his income). While Alfredo's away one day, Germont persuades Violetta to leave his son because her association with Alfredo is destroying the Germont name. Although heartbroken, she lies to Alfredo, saying she is returning to a former lover, and he humiliates her publicly. Germont finally confesses his involvement in the breakup and Alfredo rushes to Violetta's side, but she is in the final stages of consumption and their reunion ends tragically.
The opera has many famous numbers, including the drinking waltz "Libiamo"; Violetta's famous coloratura aria "Sempre Libera"; Alfredo's love solo "Un di felice"; Germont's beautiful aria to his son, "Di Provenza il mar"; the love duet "Parigi, o cara"; and Violetta's swan song, "Addio! del passato."
While the music in "La Traviata" is among the most familiar in the repertoire, a buzz of concerned murmuring arose on opening night Saturday when company director Ian Campbell stepped out onto the stage minutes after the show should have begun to say that conductor Renato Palumbo (who was to have made his company debut that night) was too ill to lead the orchestra. Fortunately, San Diego Opera's resident conductor Karen Keltner was on hand, and she gamely and confidently led the orchestra through a note-perfect rendering of the score.
Also making his company debut was Romanian tenor Marius Brenciu in the role of Alfredo. While Brenciu sounded fine in the part, with a lush tone and ease in the middle and upper range (though two or three notes sounded more like bellowing than belting), his acting was flat and his Alfredo came off as bland and wimpy. To be fair, Alfredo's a spoiled child, but if Brenciu brought more charisma and sexual ardor to the role, then Violetta's considerable sacrifices would make more sense.
By contrast, Cornish baritone Alan Opie is commanding in the part of Giorgio Germont, Alfredo's disapproving father. He sings the role with confidence and nuance, and he acts the heck out of the part.
While the physical production, rented from San Francisco Opera, is formidable ---- lavish costumes and enormous sets ---- the time it takes to change the huge set pieces means there are an hour's worth of intermissions among the four acts. And while three hours, 10 minutes, isn't especially long by opera standards, the elimination of the third intermission would do a lot to help the continuity (besides, all you really need in the final act is a bed and a window ---- Violetta does the rest).
"La Traviata" has two big party scenes, and the San Diego Opera Chorus (led by Timothy Todd Simmons) is masterful in both. There's also some nice Spanish dancing choreographed by Kristina Cobarrubia.
This production brings San Diego Opera's 2010 four-show season to a close (budget cuts forced the company to eliminate its previously planned May production). On Saturday, the company announced its 2011 season, which will also have just four productions: Puccini's "Turandot" (Jan. 29-Feb. 6); Strauss' "Der Rosenkavalier" (April 3-12); Gounod's "Faust" (April 23-May 1) and Bizet's "Carmen" (May 14-22). Season tickets are now on sale.
"La Traviata"
When: 8 p.m. Friday; 2 p.m. Sunday
Where: San Diego Opera at the San Diego Civic Theatre, Third Avenue at B Street, San Diego
Tickets: $35 and up
Info: 619-533-7000
Web: www.sdopera.com
