Opera Philadelphia Reschedules Live Broadcast Due to Rain; Screening Held Tonight

Due to rainy weekend forecasts, Opera Philadelphia today announced that its FREE HD broadcast of Verdi's La traviata has been rescheduled tonight, October 16. All tickets issued for the original broadcast date of Saturday, October 3, will be honored on the new date, and guests can continue to register for free tickets at operaonthemall.org until Friday, October 16.

"Opera on the Mall is a highlight of our season we are thrilled that we were able to find this alternative date," said David B. Devan, General Director and President of Opera Philadelphia. "We look forward to hosting this festive civic event on Friday evening, October 16, and we hope everyone who was planning to attend Opera on the Mall this weekend can still join us."

Opera on the Mall will begin on Friday, October 16, at 5:30 p.m. with a pre-show produced by WHYY and hosted by Ed Cunningham. The broadcast of Verdi's La traviata, to be recorded on opening night on Friday, Oct. 2, at the Academy of Music, will begin at 7:00 p.m.

Featuring Verdi's most timeless and lyrical score, La traviata has continued to captivate audiences for more than 150 years. In the glamorous world of Paris-updated to the mid-20th century in this lavish production from the National Opera House of Bucharest-a naive young man falls head over heels for a beautiful party girl. One of opera's greatest romances takes a wrenching turn after they risk everything for a chance at enduring love. Having proven herself "a house favorite" who "lights up the stage" (The New Yorker) at The Metropolitan Opera, soprano Lisette Oropesa makes her company and role debuts as doomed courtesan Violetta. Tenor Alek Shrader whose "singing is distinguished by a simultaneous lyricism and verve" (Opera News), makes his company and role debuts as Alfredo, who seems to be the man of Violetta's dreams. As Alfredo's father, Germont, who disapproves of the couple's love, baritone Stephen Powell brings "a rich, lyric baritone, commanding presence, and thoughtful musicianship" (Wall Street Journal).

This is the fifth year Opera Philadelphia will launch its season with a free broadcast at Independence National Historical Park. Last year, some 6,000 guests enjoyed the broadcast of Rossini's The Barber of Seville from their picnic blankets and chairs. Event information is available at operaonthemall.org or by calling 215.732.8400.

Opera on the Mall is presented through PNC Arts Alive, a multi-year, multi-million dollar initiative of the PNC Foundation. Since its introduction, PNC Arts Alive has provided a total of $7 million to support more than 160 arts programs and 80 organizations to increase access to the arts and culture in Philadelphia-Southern New Jersey. The goal of PNC Arts Alive is to help area residents gain access to the arts and to help arts organizations expand and engage audiences. In 2015, twenty-two organizations were selected for their bold thinking around increasing arts access and engagement. For more information about Opera Philadelphia's grant and all of the funded programs, visit www.pncartsalive.com.