Let us enjoy life,
For the pleasures of love are swift and fleeting
As a flower that lives and dies
And can be enjoyed no more.
Let’s take our pleasure!

– Violetta, Act I, “La Traviata”

COURTESY The Kentucky Opera’s “La Traviata” will open Sept. 25.

There will be much pleasure and enjoyment at the Brown-Forman 2009 Grand Opening Gala for the Kentucky Opera on Friday, Sept. 25. That’s when guests will celebrate the fall season with an evening of dinner, drinks and a performance of Giuseppe Verdi’s “La Traviata” in the newly-renovated Brown Theatre.

“If you’ve ever wanted to see an opera, this is the one,” said Artistic Director David Roth.

The black-tie optional affair begins at 6 p.m. in The Brown Hotel with cocktails and dinner, followed by a red carpet walk at 7:15 p.m. that will surely include patrons in their finest attire.

“The No. 1 consideration in enjoying the opera is to be comfortable,” said Roth, “but this is a wonderful event to come dressed up.”
It’s also the perfect event for first-time opera-goers. “La Traviata” is one of the most popular operas around the world. (Julia Roberts’ character goes to see it in “Pretty Woman.”) Written by Giuseppe Verdi, the 157-year-old opera explores the world of the French courtesan Violetta and her doomed love of Alfredo, a member of the wealthy class.

ROBERT MILLARD | courtesy Elizabeth Futral will star as Violetta in “La Traviata.”

“The story is dramatic and important” and the music is “gorgeous,” Roth said. “When opera is good, there is no other experience like it.”

To ease the minds of opera first-timers, a 30-minute presentation about the performance will be given an hour before curtain call and “super titles” – English translations – will be shown across a narrow screen during the performance.

“It really does enhance the audience’s experience,” Roth said.

So will Elizabeth Futral, whose parents live in Louisville. She stars in “La Traviata” as Violetta, a role in which she’s performed around the world to much acclaim.

“We’re really delighted to not only have her with us but to have her with us in one of the signature roles,” Roth said. “She’s really able to mine the depth of character in emotion. It’s a huge coup for Kentucky to be bringing that caliber of opera here.”

Adding to the excitement of the fall-season opener is the major renovation of the orchestra pit in the historic Brown Theatre, the new permanent home of the Kentucky Opera. The renovation, which was funded primarily by Owsley and Christy Brown and Hilliard Lyons, will accommodate up to 66 musicians, in an area under the stage that previously had space for only 30 to 35 musicians.

“This is a major renovation that will truly enhance the artistic output of the Kentucky Opera,” Roth said.

COURTESY

The opera’s 2009 season will continue with “Of Mice and Men,” based on John Steinbeck’s novel, Oct. 30 and Nov. 1, and Engelbert Humperdinck’s “Hansel and Gretel” Nov. 20 and 22.

“La Traviata”
Season Sponsor: Brown-Forman.
Production sponsor: Hilliard Lyons.
When: Opening night gala begins at 6 p.m., performance starts at 8 p.m. Sept. 25; performance begins at 2 p.m. Sept. 27.
Where: The Brown Theatre.
Tickets: Opening night gala tickets, which includes dinner, range from $110 to $180. Single tickets for the performance only are $35 to $95.
More information: 584-4500 or KYOpera.org.

“La Traviata” Synopsis
Composer: Giuseppe Verdi
Conductor: Kelly Kuo
Director: James Marvel
Violetta: Elizabeth Futral
Alfredo: Sébastien Guèze
Germont: Donnie Ray Albert

In this 157-year-old opera, Violetta Valery, a courtesan, is throwing a party. One of the guests is Alfredo Germont who has loved Violetta from afar for some time. At one point, he warns her that her lifestyle will surely kill her but admits his love for her and offers her protection. Violetta shrugs off this sentimentality and decides to continue her life of pleasure as Alfredo continues to profess his love.

Eventually, Violetta and Alfredo move in together and begin selling her belongings to help finance their current lifestyle. Alfredo decides that he will raise the money himself and leaves for Paris. Alfredo’s father, Giorgio Germont, is afraid his own daughter’s upcoming marriage is being ruined by the scandalous relationship between Alfredo and Violetta and wants it to end. Violetta reveals to Germont that she has a serious illness and Alfredo is all she has in the world. Germont remains adamant and tells Violetta that she will find others to love her. A heartbroken Violetta agrees to leave.

Knowing that Violetta has received a party invitation from friends in Paris, an inconsolable Alfredo assumes that she is returning to her former lifestyle. When confronted by Alfredo, Violetta claims to love the Baron Douphol. Alfredo flees abroad, after a duel with the Baron, but rushes to Violetta’s side once he understands her sacrifice and learns she is dying of tuberculosis. Together, at last, she gives him a locket with her picture in it, telling him that he should marry and give this to his bride. Violetta feels a sudden rush of life, but collapses dead on her couch.

Source: KentuckyOpera.org