Lyric Opera of Chicago has a real winner in its new production of Giuseppe Verdi’s “La Traviata.”
The tragic heroine, Violetta Valery, is sung by Latvian soprano Marina Rebeka in a singularly impressive debut here. She sparkles, she shines, and her bright coloratura is as fresh and flexible after three hours as it is when the curtain rises. She is a Violetta for the ages, a confident actress. She moves gracefully as a member of the 1860 Parisian demimonde, where wealthy men enjoy the favors of beautiful young courtesans, and she perishes with passion.
Her singing appears to be an exercise in abandon. She navigates the twists and turns, the cascades and leaps in her arias as easily as if tossing off a folk tune. She not only nails every note, but does it with spirit to spare. Her performance is breathtaking.
Lyric has surrounded this stunning star with powerful men. Maltese tenor Joseph Calleja is a strong Alfred Germont, touching as the lovesick youth who adores Violetta from afar, tormented as he misunderstands her selfless motive for leaving him and finally as he loses her in death. His voice blends with Rebeka’s exceptionally well.
American baritone Quinn Kelsey is Giorgio Germont, Alfredo’s father. An alum of Lyric’s Ryan Opera Center, Kelsey has a towering voice and is a fine actor, elegantly expressing a parent’s anguish as he tries to control the life of his wayward son, only to realize how much harm he has done.
This new production is lavish. Violetta wears voluminous skirts and guests at a costume party wear eye-popping get-ups, all designed by Cait O’Connor. The sets by Riccardo Hernandez have a haunting aspect, so even in the midst of gaiety, long, looming shadows traverse the walls.
Credit Verdi with the magnificent music that tells the story and supports this most popular of his operas, indeed one of the most popular operas in the standard repertoire today. And cheers to the Lyric Orchestra, under the baton of Italian conductor Massimo Zanetti, which delivered the complete uncut Verdi score with precision and passion.
If you can only get to one Lyric performance this season, make it this “Traviata.” And don’t be shy about bringing a newcomer. Everyone will love it and remember it forever.
“La Traviata” runs through December 20 at the Civic Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago. For tickets and information, call 312-332-2244 or visit Lyric Opera of Chicago’s website.
Photo: Todd Rosenberg
