By Ben Watson
Stepping into the recently renovated Midvale Performing Arts Center, I was totally unprepared for the opulent staging of Giuseppe Verdi’s La Traviata, mounted by Lyrical Opera Theater. My amazement continued through the whole of the two and a half hour (including 3 intermissions) production, as a very talented cast brought 1850’s Paris to life. Utilizing projected supertitles, the LOT players makes the Italian tale of love, betrayal, parental interference, and redemption accessible and understandable. Clear phrasing, splendid costuming, and purposeful, expressive blocking allows the audience to connect with a litany of familiar characters and be transported to the raucous but precisely mannered party.
Act 1 opens with the wine and laughter flowing freely, as the statuesque Aleena Pedersen introduces us to Violetta Valery, the illness stricken courtesan around whom the story orbits. Pedersen shines in the soaring passages afforded her character, and commands the stage with her presence. She is well met in the performance of David Sauer, as Violetta’s erstwhile lover, Alfredo. Sauer’s rich tenor only strengthens through the evening, and proves an able counterpoint to Pedersen’s soprano. The party is populated with a variety of guests, including local legend Keanu Aiono-Netzler as Gastone, and Daniel Tuutau as Giorgio, Alfredo’s father. Aiono-Netzler, in particular, brings a sense of vibrant joy to his character, and his voice stands out as a powerful punctuation to a very able ensemble. Tuutau brings a subtlety and understatement to his paternal role, but his lower register fills the arched MPAC hall with a resplendent resonance. Khali Dalbow is youthful and effervescent as Flora Bervoix, and balances well with Jesse Toftum as Marchese D’Obigny. Lending his molten-chocolate baritone to the role of Barone Douphol, Nelson LeDuc shines, as does Bill Goeglein as Dr. Grenvil. Rounding out the singing cast are Alyssa Powers, Joshua Jensen, Deborah Siddoway, Sarah Seamons, Sonja Jensen, Jamie Forchic, Levi Frakes, and Lynnette Owens. Their voices add texture and depth to the already lavish production. Adding to the multi-media element, ballet dancers Faith Hortin, Victoria White, and Christian Tippetts convey meaning through movement, as choreographed by Alexandria Sorensen. Keeping all this talent moving and in place, stage crew Jason Levitt and Elsie Harle, along with stage manager Sydney Andrascik, have a fine hold on the technical aspects.
La Traviata is a love story, and watching Lyrical Opera Theater translate that love into voice and gloriously costumed visuals, it’s evident that this company understands passion and romance. While many theatergoers, especially younger ones, may pass by opera as an art form, those of all ages who do seek its pleasures are richly rewarded. Lyrical Opera Theater and the Midvale Performing Arts Center serve up those rewards in full measure with La Traviata.
Lyrical Opera Theater presents La Traviata by Giuseppe Verdi
Performing Arts Center, 695 W. Center St. (7720 S), Midvale, UT 84047
Remaining Performances: Sunday, April 7, 2019 3:00 PM, Friday, April 12, 7:00 PM, Sunday, April 14, 3:00 PM, Saturday, April 20, 7:00 PM
Tickets
Contact: 801-641-6984
Lyrical Opera Theater Facebook Page
La Traviata Facebook Event
Did you see Felicia Lundie as Violetta?? She was ALSO amazing, her singing her acting. She’s SO beautiful and graceful. I only saw one cast of the show but what I saw was fabulous!!!
CONGRATS to all of you