Opera in the Heights to Present LA TRAVIATA, 10/4-13

One of the world's most popular operas, La Traviata by Giuseppe Verdi, opens the new Opera in the Heights season. Fiery passion and poignant beauty dramatize the music created for this tale of ardent love and heartbreaking sacrifice. Performances will be from October 4 through 13 at Lambert Hall in the Houston Heights.

Violetta is a young courtesan living in the Paris of the 1800's. She throws a lavish party, and there she meets Alfredo who has loved her from afar for some time. He tries to tell her of his feelings, but she laughs at him, explaining that she no longer believes in love. He persists, and the story intensifies from there.

"I have gathered a magnificent group of guest artists to celebrate Maestro Verdi's 200th Birthday with me. This is a once-in-a-life-time event not to be missed. We take a fresh look at this masterpiece to render an interpretation true to the spirit in which it was composed," said Artistic Director Enrique Carreón-Robledo. This production represents the final opera in the series of three (after last season's Macbeth and Falstaff) honoring Maestro Verdi who was born in October of 1813.

The role of Violetta will be sung by Sara Heaton and Julia Ebner in alternating performances, while the leading man, Alfredo, will be sung by Steven Wallace and Christopher Trapani. Alfredo's father, Germont, will be portrayed by Andrew Cummings and Robert AaRon Taylor.

La Traviata's stage director Lynda Keith McKnight is a frequent collaborator at Opera in the Heights, C. Vincent Fuller is the chorus master, Rachel Smith is the set designer, Dena Scheh designs the costumes, and the stage lighting is done by Kevin Taylor.

New this year is the addition of a second Sunday matinee, and the change of opening night from Thursday to Friday. Performance dates are October 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, at 7:30 pm and October 6 and 13 at 2:00 pm. Single ticket prices are $32-$59, senior tickets are $29-$51, and student tickets are $12 anytime in designated areas.

Opera in the Heights, a professional regional company, exists to provide a stage for emerging performers and bring affordable opera to the Greater Houston Area. All operas are fully staged with orchestra and presented in the original language with English surtitles projected above the stage.

Evening performances begin at 7:30 pm and the matinees are at 2:00 pm at Lambert Hall, 1703 Heights Blvd. in the Houston Heights. For tickets, please visit www.operaintheheights.org or call 713-861-5303.