Fri 4/26 & Sun 4/28
Opera is live and vibrant in Cleveland with an impressive production of Verdi’s La Traviata presented this past Friday evening and Sunday afternoon by Cleveland Opera Theater at the Maltz Performing Arts Center.
The opera tells the story in three acts of Violetta Valéry (portrayed with musical eloquence and feminine solemnity by Angela Mortellaro), who does her best to overcome her worsening infirmity and to remain exuberant at a soiree in her Paris home. Violetta is introduced to Alfredo Germont (Benjamin Werley) who has admired her from afar for a long time. Violetta feels faint, and the guests saunter into another room. Alfredo remains behind and declares his love with a beautiful duet “Un dì felice” Violetta cannot resist his sincerity. She gives him a camellia that adorned her hair and asks him to return when the flower has faded.
Violetta, as portrayed by Mortellaro, has a self-assurance and strength of spirit; she has been truly touched by Alfredo’s professions of affection and sings “Ah fors’è lui’ / ‘Sempre libera” to a standing ovation. Ms. Mortellaro has a magnificent voice and acting skill that portray a modern femme fatale who is a complicated amalgam of seductress, feminist, paramour, afflicted sufferer and romantic heroine. Indeed, her character carries the audience through the story with sympathy and commiseration. But the spectacular performances by Mr. Werley and Grant Youngblood as Alfredo’s father (Giorgio Germont) help to propel the narrative and to generate a true musical tour de force. “Un Di Felice Eterea” (“One Day, happy and Ethereal”) and “Di provenza il mar il suel” were phenomenal musical accomplishments that were eagerly enjoyed by Sunday’s sold-out audience.
Maestro Domenico Boyagian and his Cleveland Opera Theater Orchestra contributed in no small part to this outstanding production. The orchestra is technically superb and Mr. Boyagian knows how to add to the jubilation and pathos of the characters circumstances with the nuance of a symphonist. The orchestra becomes at once another lead character and an emotional ensemble that is as extraordinary in the libretto’s quieter moments as it is lavish in its more buoyant moments. The maestro’s approach is akin to a fine film composer knowing when to step back and let the drama play when to let singers’ accomplishments shine. Maestro Boyagian is masterful as he manifests Verdi’s beautiful melodies and enables this expressive score to take center stage.
Director and creative artistic director Scott Skiba has cast brilliant musical virtuosos in this production but he has also culled the subtlest wit and most intense poignancy from more minor characters and the chorus. He has crafted a captivating production with the help of very competent lighting and costume designs.
A special shout-out of recognition should go to the Maltz Performing Arts Center for its extravagant ambience and bountiful architectural purpose as well as lush acoustic milieu. The building and out-door canopy served food and beverages to delighted attendees who ranged in age from attentive five-year-old’s to inspired centenarians. The building easily accommodates those with disabilities and those requiring hearing devices.
Cleveland, OH 44106