Music Reviews

Nov 11, 2006 - Nevada Opera's "La Traviata" soars into the record books as a theatrical and operatic hit

By By Jack Neal

Re-telling the story of bad girl gone good, Nevada Opera racked up another powerhouse presentation Friday night at Reno's Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts (11/10/06) with its new production of Verdi's "La Traviata."

The girl gone good is Violetta Valery who gives up her life as call girl to the rich and infamous after she falls head over heels in love with a young, handsome – and, needless to say, rich - Alfredo Germont.

Money, it seems, helps make the heart grow fonder.

In this sumptuous looking and sounding production of "La Traviata," the lovely and enchanting Violetta hosts parties, wears gorgeous gowns, falls madly in love, heroically walks away from the man she loves (for his well being), becomes terminally ill, and does it all while singing gloriously.

Soprano Diane Alexander is Violetta and she's superb. Her "Sempre libera" is nothing less than dazzling, but then so is everything else this exceptional diva brings to her every moment on stage. Her "Addio del passato" is heart wrenching, but then so are the life and times of Violetta as true love and life slip away. Emotions are poignantly etched throughout Miss Alexander's subtle performance. Emotions are also embraced by her elegant musicianship as she effortlessly circumvents the peaks and valleys of the haunting and inspired music Violetta is given to sing.

And so, since "La Traviata" rises or falls on the talents of its star, Nevada Opera's "La Traviata" starring Diane Alexander soars into the record books as an enormous operatic hit.

As Alfredo, Violetta's impassioned suitor, tenor Chad Shelton is a handsome young romantic lead with enormous vocal and stage presence and oodles of potential - all of which are being realized here in this juicy role of a young man's anguish over a broken heart. Shelton's is a voice that commands attention and holds its own and then some singing opposite Miss Alexander.

Baritone Dennis Jesse is Alfredo's meddling father, Giorgio Germont. In this case he meddles with his usual rich characterization and scrumptious sound. Giorgio Germont is another of Mr. Jesse's splendid operatic performances.

The supporting roles are handled with skill and assurance. Alissa Anderson, Flora – Violetta's closest friend, is fun loving and flirtatious. It's also appropriate for the company to draw on its talented chorus members for a variety of roles. Lawrence Clawson (Dr. Grenvil), Steven Meyer (Marquis d'Obigny), Rick Cornell (Baron Douphol), Olivia Anderson (Annina), Steven Murdock (Gastone), Andy Sonnemaker (Giuseppe), Anthony Re (a messenger), and Rick Michaelson (Flora's servant) all bring off their assignments with solid artistic dispatch. The excellent dancers and dance sequences in Flora's party scene were choreographed and prepared by the gifted Barbara Land.

Director Kyle Marrero's staging brings depth to a story begging to be more than a daytime soap opera. And, of course, Verdi's inspired music makes this melodrama much, much more than merely a musical version of "Desperate Housewives" morphed into desperate lovers.

Conductor and Nevada Opera Artistic Director Michael Borowitz brings passion, restraint and a shrewd theatrical timing to one of Verdi's most popular scores. The orchestra responds with a lush, impeccable performance. The chorus's singing is – like splendid champagne – rich and full bodied.

Susan Allred's costume designs are elegant. Peter Dean Beck's scenic designs are lavish. Don Smith's lighting designs add the handsome glow to the production's look that's so important for success. Nevada Opera's lovely new "La Traviata" is a musical gem and terrific theater.

"La Traviata" will be repeated Sunday, November 12, 2006, at 2 p.m. All main stage Nevada Opera productions are performed at the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts, 100 South Virginia Street, Reno, Nevada. For information call 775-786-4046 or 775-686-6600.