LA TRAVIATA Opens At Lyric Opera in February

Violetta Valry is a courtesan who can have everything she desires except lasting happiness. Love is found, lost, and reclaimed too late in Verdi's most cherished opera.

An excellent first-time opera: La traviata has moved audiences around the world with its compelling story of conflicted love, its passionate protagonists, and beautiful music. La traviata is a quintessential Italian opera don't miss the chance to see this immensely popular work.

A top-tier international cast: Russian soprano Albina Shagimuratova portrays the deeply affecting heroine, Violetta. Her impetuous lover, Alfredo, is played by Italian tenor Giorgio Berrugi (Lyric debut), while Alfredo's stern father, Giorgio Germont, is sung by Serbian bass-baritone eljko Lu i . American mezzo-soprano Zoie Reams (Lyric debut) plays Violetta's friend Flora.

Rising young singers featured: Many members of this year's Ryan Opera Center will perform supporting roles. Contralto Lauren Decker portrays Violetta's maid Annina, tenor Mario Rojas plays Gastone, baritone Christopher Kenney is the Marquis, baritone Ricardo Jos Rivera plays Baron Douphol, bass-baritone David Weigel sings Dr. Grenvil, and tenor Eric Ferring is Giuseppe.

Michael Christie makes his Lyric debut conducting the Lyric Opera Orchestra.

Experience Verdi's beautiful and vibrant melodies in live performance. The music of La traviata includes some of the composer's most well-crafted arias, orchestral passages, and rousing choruses. From the invigorating "Libiamo" drinking song to the tender love duet "Un d felice" to Violetta's show-stopping aria "Sempre libera," this opera has familiar melodies that are sure to have audiences humming long after they leave the theater. Hear samples here.

Extravagant visuals abundant with color and texture: Director Arin Arbus's lavish production features beautiful, visually fantastic costumes and oversized puppets by Cait O'Connor that are described as "Victorian going for Baroque." Set designer Riccardo Hernandez, lighting designer Marcus Doshi, projection designer Christopher Ash, and choreographer Austin McCormick collaborated with Arbus to create this striking Lyric production.

The Lyric Opera Chorus, prepared by Lyric chorus master Michael Black, play Felliniesque party guests in billowing gowns and towering wigs.

La traviata's influence on pop culture has spread from stage to screen.The 1990 hit movie Pretty Woman and the 2001 Oscar- nominated musical Moulin Rouge! both have plots inspired by Verdi's masterpiece.

The composer and his librettist, Francesco Maria Piave, based La traviata (The Fallen Woman) on La Dame aux Cam lias, the play adapted from the 1848 novel by Alexandre Dumas fils, which was inspired by the true story of Marie Duplessis, a country girl turned top-drawer courtesan who became the toast of Paris and died penniless at the age of 23.

See it if you like: Romantic stories, sympathetic female leads, tragic star-crossed lovers, visually stunning chorus scenes, and Verdi's glorious music.

Running Time: 2 Hours and 50 minutes with 2 intermissions: Enjoy an exceptional live experience in the beautiful surroundings of the Art-Deco theater and foyer.

Sung in Italian with projected English translations.

Ten performances Feb. 16, 20, and 24, and March 1, 4, 7, 10, 13, 16, and 22 at the Lyric Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago. Performances dates in bold are 2:00pm matinees. Weekday evening performances start at 7:00pm and Saturday evening performances start at 7:30pm.

For more information and to order tickets, visit lyricopera.com/traviata or call 312-827-5600. Tickets start at $37.

For information about pre-performance dining options at Lyric, visit lyricopera.org/dining to learn about on-site restaurants, pop-up sushi bar, beverage service, and more.