PULLMAN, Wash. — The Western Opera Theater brings Giuseppe Verdi’s “La Traviata” to Washington State University’s Beasley Performing Arts Coliseum stage for a Sept. 25 performance.
“La Traviata” tells the story of the tragic romance between Violetta Valery, a Parisian courtesan ill with tuberculosis, and Alfredo Germont, a sincere and poetic young man of a respectable provincial family.
“La Traviata” premiered in Venice in 1853. The opera, based on a true story, contains some of Verdi’s most poignant, delicate and passionate music.
Alfredo falls deeply in love with Violetta at a party in Paris and convinces her to come to the country to live with him. For the sake of preserving his family’s reputation, Alfredo’s father convinces Violetta to return to Paris without giving Alfredo an explanation. Alfredo follows her there and publicly denounces her apparent infidelity at a party. As the true reason for her return to Paris becomes clear, Alfredo rushes to her side, but only in time to hold her in his arms as she dies.
Created in 1967, the Western Opera Theater was the first opera company to tour performances in English throughout the West. The theater company was started to give young artists a chance to work as part of an ensemble, performing a leading role one night and a lesser role the following.
Tickets for the opera are available at all G&B Select-a-Seat outlets, 800/325-SEAT and the Beasley Coliseum ticket office, 335-1514.
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