La Traviata hits Wits theatre
BRAAMFONTEIN – The Gauteng Opera has announced that it will perform its first full-length opera in concert, Giuseppe Verdi’s La Traviata, on 6 June.
The opera company, which was previously known as the Black Tie Ensemble, is presenting a concert version of the heartbreaking and beautiful La Traviata, thanks to funding from the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund (NLDTF).
Gauteng Opera’s chief executive officer, Marcus Desando said, “We chose to do La Traviata in concert as it has all the elements of a great opera, from beautiful singing to drama and characters that will resonate with Gauteng audiences.”
The performance is sure to be an absolute treat as it is one of the most popular operas in the classical repertoire thanks to an incredible proudly South African line-up that includes soprano Bronwen Forbay, baritone Aubrey Lodewyk and Gauteng Opera soloist Phenye Modiane.
These stars, along with the Gauteng Opera Orchestra and Gauteng Opera Chorus, will perform under the baton of Dutch conductor Arjan Tien. The opera will be sung in Italian with English subtitles.
“Furthermore, we are proud to be able to offer the Gauteng opera-loving public a full-length opera again in the form of this concert version of La Traviata. We are planning more such productions while looking forward to the remainder of our jam-packed 2015 season,” Desando added.
Verdi’s opera is based on La Dame aux camélias, an 1852 play adapted from the novel by Alexandre Dumas. The story is of Alfredo, a young nobleman, and Violetta, a courtesan, who fall in love. However, Alfredo’s father disapproves of their relationship and convinces Violetta to leave for the sake of Alfredo’s family’s reputation. Distraught and enraged, Alfredo publicly humiliates Violetta at a party. What no one realises, however, is that Violetta is gravely ill.
La Traviata in Concert starts at the Wits Great Hall at 8pm on 6 June. Tickets are available from R200 from www.computicket.com
Details: 011 340 8000.
