Utah Opera to Present LA TRAVIATA at Capitol Theatre, 1/18-26

Celebrate Utah Opera's return to the newly remodeled Capitol Theatre and experience Verdi's La Traviata from January 18 to 26, 2014.

Verdi is arguably opera's most successful composer and La Traviata is one of his greatest hits. This is the story of Violetta, a Parisian courtesan who must battle the twin demons of consumption and a broken heart. Hers is the ultimate operatic life, one filled with grand parties, grander sacrifices, and some of Verdi's most memorable music.

This return of Utah Opera's lavish production, last seen in 2006, will transport you to Paris with lush costumes and grand sets. La Traviata is filled with memorable characters and some of the most familiar music in opera, including the drinking song "Libiamo."

However according to noted opera authority Henry Simon, when La Traviata was first performed on March 6, 1853 in Venice, it was an instant failure. "Neither the critics nor the public liked it. One trouble was the singers: there was a too healthy heroine dying of consumption, and everyone thought that was funny. Another trouble was costumes: it was played in modern clothes (that is, of course, modern for 1853), and no one was used to grand opera in modern clothes."

Mr. Simon went on to say that the later performances changed public perception of the opera, which was a success in Italy. "The public also liked it - right from the start - in England and America. But not the critics. They thought the story 'foul, hideous, and immoral.' But critics are sometimes wrong at first, and the public is usually right. Today, over a century old, it is one of the most popular of all operas and one finds the story told in books of opera plots intended for children."

The performance will last approximately 2 hours 40 minutes with two intermissions.