11/10/12 – La Traviata – 1:00pm
Houston Grand Opera
La Traviata by Giuseppe Verdi
Libretto by Francesco Maria Piave
Sung in I talian
Approximate running time: 2 hours 4 minutes, including two intermissions
The story of Violetta Valéry, a beautiful but mortally ill courtesan, has defined romantic tragedy ever since the Dumas novel that inspired it—La dame aux camellias—appeared in 1848. Violetta falls in love with Alfredo Germont and forsakes her glamorous life in Paris to live with him in the country. When his father convinces her that the affair is harming the family’s reputation, she selflessly gives up Alfredo, but without telling him the true reason. Alfredo learns of her sacrifice too late.
Cast (in order of appearance)
Violetta Valéry – Albina Shagimuratova
Flora Bervoix – Catherine Martin
Marquese d’Obigny – Mark Diamond
Baron Douphol – Boris Dyakov
Doctor Grenvil – Nicholas Masters
Gastone, Vicomte de Letourières – Scott Quinn
Alfredo Germont – Chad Shelton
Annina – Brittany Wheeler
Giuseppe/Flora’s Servant – Brendan Tuohy
Giorgio Germont – Giovanni Meoni
Commissioner – Keenan Manceaux
Crew
Conductor – Patrick Summers, Margaret Alkek Williams Chair
Director – Daniel Slater
Set & Costume Designer – Desmond Heeley
Lighting Designer – Michael James Clark
Choreographer/Assistant Director – Tim Claydon
Chorus Master – Richard Bado
Houston Grand Opera Orchestra and Chorus
Photos by Felix Sanchez