The Rapides Symphony will close our 2018-19 season with a performance of one of the most popular grand operas ever written, Giuseppe Verdi’s “La Traviata”. It is an opera that combines compelling characters, a heartbreaking story, and Verdi’s dramatic and memorable music. “La Traviata” (The Fallen Woman) is based on “La Dame aux Camélias”, with its origins in a 1848 novel by Alexandre Dumas. Any of you who have seen the movie Pretty Woman with Julia Roberts and Richard Gere will remember the part that the opera plays in that movie.

Traviata’s female protagonist, Violetta, is a beautiful Parisian courtesan who lives for the pleasures of a luxury lifestyle. She meets Alfredo Germont who cannot offer her material luxury, but his sincerity convinces her to give up her lifestyle for love. Alfredo’s father confronts Violetta and asks her to leave Alfredo for his own good. She respects the father’s wishes, which leads to the central confrontation of the opera and ultimately Violetta’s demise.

The production will be “semi-staged,” meaning the singers will be performing on stage in front of the full symphony orchestra. Though there are no elaborate sets, this type of performance focuses on the interaction of characters, which is at the heart of this opera. We’ve lined up an all-star, nationally recognized cast of singers to bring the story to life.

The concert is Saturday, April 27th at 7:30pm at the Coughlin-Saunders Performing Arts Center. You can purchase tickets at RapidesSymphony.org or by calling (318) 442-9709. If you would like to learn more about the performance, you can join us for our “Listen Up” presentation in the lobby of the concert hall at 6:45pm before the concert. Special thanks goes to the Anne Coughlin Opera Series fund that generously sponsors our opera performances. I hope to see you all there!