KNOXVILLE — “La Traviata,” one of the most popular operas in the world, is an opulent story of ill-fated love.
The University of Tennessee’s Opera Theatre presents Giuseppe Verdi’s operatic masterpiece in four performances April 19-21 at the Bijou Theatre.
“La Traviata” will be performed at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday, April 19; 8 p.m., Sunday, April 20; and 8 p.m., Monday, April 21. The opera is in Italian, but English super-titles will be displayed above the stage.
The opera, first performed in 1853 in Venice, tells the story of Violetta Valery and her admirer Alfredo Germont. “La Traviata” means the woman who strayed.
The cast and ensemble consist entirely of UT undergraduate and graduate students. Violetta is played by Teresa Alzadon and Desiree Lulay, and Alfredo is played by Jorge Alzadon and Jonathan Subia. The main characters will rotate with each performance.
The opera is directed by Carroll Freemen, UT School of Music director of opera, who is known for his interpretation of Alfredo. Freeman made his New York City Opera debut in that role, and Brian Salesky, general director of Knoxville Opera, conducted the production.
“La Traviata” is conducted by James Fellenbaum, director of orchestras at UT, who this year was named resident conductor of the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra.
Tickets are $15 for general admission, $10 for senior citizens and $5 for UT students. For tickets, call (865) 656-4444 or (865) 684-1200 or go online at http://www.knoxvilletickets.com.
“La Traviata” is sponsored in part by the UT Cultural Affairs Board, WUTK 90.3 The Rock and WUOT 91.9.
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Contacts:
Elizabeth Davis, UT media relations, (865) 974-5179, elizabeth.davis@tennessee.edu
Carroll Freeman, (865) 387-1861 or (865) 974-7567,
carrollfreeman@comcast.net