The grandeur and heartbreak of Verdi’s “La Traviata” was captured in all its operatic essence Saturday at the Savannah Center.
A wondrous performance by Melissa Briozzo, soprano from Italy in the lead role of doomed and star-crossed lover Violetta, highlighted the opening of two shows Saturday by the Central Florida Lyric Opera company.
Briozzo earned a long and loud standing ovation in addition to shouts of “bravo” but she had plenty of help during the performance. Siyong Chang, in his first ever Verdi opera as the lead male role of Alfredo, also displayed depth, emotion and vocal range.
Theo Tyrrell, as Giogrio Germont – father of Alfredo, who tries to break up the romance of his son – was dynamic and dominating as the meddling parent.
Others in the cast: Abbey Harr, Jennifer Ann Wilson, Devin Eatmon, Kofi Hayford, Samuel Reynolds, Tony Brown and Frank Corbin all contributed to a thoroughly, first-class presentation of a difficult and complicated opera.
Essentially, this is the work that provided the plot lines for such popular films as “Moulin Rouge!” and “Pretty Woman.” Although Nicole Kidman, Julia Roberts or Richard Gere were nowhere to be found Saturday, Briozzo and Chang held their own in the chemistry department.
The relatively small stage and sometimes difficult acoustics of the Savannah Center can be a challenge for classical music and opera. But, thanks to clever stage presentation and design – including a screen that offered English translation of the lyrics – it worked.
It started with a party scene when Violetta, knowing a disease will soon kill her, is introduced to Alfredo. She leads a restless life as a courtesan but finds true love with Alfredo. He loves her but his father wants her to leave him. After a tumultuous meeting with his father, Violetta agrees to leave. This leads to more misunderstanding and eventually, a tragic reconciliation for the lovers and family.
Bill Doherty, head of the Central Florida Lyric Opera and general director of the performance, led a nearly 30-piece orchestra on stage. The music added to the aura of a classical music hall that might seem out of place in the Savannah Center but somehow felt like home.
You can view a short clip from the production at the link below:
Andrea Elena, internationally renowned singer who has performed with the La Scala Opera House in Milan, Italy, was stage director. He captured all the ambience of “La Traviata” combining the singing, movement and storyline into a coherent and moving theatrical event. Kudos also go to stage manager Heather Beirne Ard, costume coordinator Lynne Hayden-Findlay and set designer Robert Rupp for their efforts.
After the opera ended, Chang was greeted by friends and family near the stage entrance.
“This is my first Verdi opera and it feels great,” he said. Chang is from Seoul, South Korea and holds a master degree in the arts from Temple University. He recently settled in Central Florida and auditioned for the role.
“I didn’t do well at the audition; they thought I was too young,” he said. “But Maestro Bill Doherty had faith in me and gave me a chance. I’m so happy for this opportunity.”
So were members of the audience.
“I thought the two leading roles (Briozzo and Chang) were spectacular,” said Villager Bob Martin. “I’ve seen this opera at least half a dozen times, at much bigger venues, and this presentation held its own with any of them.”
Mark Benson, of The Villages, agreed. “A night like this shows there is room for Opera in The Villages,” he said. “I really enjoyed this, especially the way they had the English translation up on the screen. This was a first class production in every way.”
