Just because an opera is more than 150 years old, and considered one of the “warhorses” of the repertoire, doesn’t mean it has to be stodgy and dull.
A bright, functional (authentic-looking) set, colorful and appropriate costumes, brisk staging and glorious voices — when combined with musical excellence from the orchestra and music director — can all work together to make such an “antique” as fresh and satisfying as this morning’s pastry.
Just ask those in attendance Friday evening at Youngstown’s Stambaugh Auditorium when Opera Western Reserve presented Giuseppe Verdi’s grand romantic tragedy La Traviata before a very full house of appreciative opera-lovers.
David Vosburgh, as usual, did triple duty. He’s executive director of the company, but also does the set design and stage direction. Actually, he did quadruple-duty, as he also provided the translations for the supertitles. Lighting was by J. Anthony Ferrello, and costumes by Barbara Luce. The excellent orchestra (which seems to sound better each year) was conducted by its marvelous musical director Susan Davenny Wyner. Matty Sayre was the very capable production stage manager, keeping everything moving smoothly and as it all should. The chorus, which might have benefited from having a few more voices, was well-prepared by its director, Dr. Hae-Jong Lee.
But of course, it’s the singers who determine the success or failure of the venture. And this was a resounding success! Two of the three principals were local: tenor Timothy M. R. Culver as Alfredo, and baritone Brian Keith Johnson as his father Giorgio Germont. These two performers always enhance any stage on which they find themselves. They also had a great Violetta to work with in soprano Jessica Stecklein.
Supporting roles were admirably filled by Shafica Kaleel (Anina), Kathryn Copeland (fortune teller), Rachael Pavloski (Flora), Enrique Bernardo (Gastone), Max J. Pivik (Baron Duphoul) and Trevor Coleman (Dr. Grenvil).
Next year, Opera Western Reserve will present Puccini’s Tosca on Fri 11/11/11, at 7:30PM. For more information, call 330-480-0693 or visit the website: http://www.OperaWesternReserve.org.
From Cool Cleveland contributor Kelly Ferjutz, who writes: My most recently published book is Ardenwycke Unveiled (e-book and trade paper). Cerridwen has another contemporary romance from me, But Not For Love, currently available only as an e-book, but perhaps will be in print later this year. I hope to soon get around to completing some of the 30+ incomplete books in my computer!Actually, I’ve just re-issued my very first published book (from Berkley in NY 1993) Secret Shores which is available now in regular print, plus large print and as a Kindle.
By the way, Cerridwen has also accepted two of my short stories in their Scintillating Samples (complimentary reads) area: Song of the Swan and Unexpected Comfort. I love photography as well, as you can see here. Occasionally I teach writing workshops and sometimes do editing or ghostwriting on a free-lance basis. But over and above everything else, there’s always been the writing. I can’t imagine my life without it.
And now, after more than a few requests, I’ve started a blog about writing. You can find it here.