Photos: LA TRAVIATA To Close Opera San José 2025–26 Season At California Theatre
The production will be conducted by Johannes Löhner, making his principal conducting debut with the company.
Opera San José will present LA TRAVIATA as the final production of its 2025–26 season, running April 19 through May 3 at the California Theatre.
Featuring music by Giuseppe Verdi and libretto by Francesco Maria Piave, the opera follows the courtesan Violetta as she falls in love with Alfredo, leading to a story of sacrifice and loss. This new production, directed by Tara Branham, emphasizes the social dynamics of Violetta’s world, highlighting the transactional nature of relationships within Parisian high society.
The production will be conducted by Johannes Löhner, making his principal conducting debut with the company. Performances will be sung in Italian with English and Spanish supertitles.
General Director and CEO Shawna Lucey said, “Verdi’s thrilling masterpiece invites us into Violetta’s world—one of intoxicating love, profound courage, and devastating sacrifice… We look forward to welcoming audiences for a closing production that is as emotionally shattering as it is magnificent.”
The cast will feature Mikaya Sager as Violetta, WooYoung Yoon as Alfredo, and Kidon Choi as Germont. They are joined by Joanne Evans as Flora, Nicole Koh as Annina, Benjamin Ruiz as Gastone, Robert Balonek as Baron Douphol, Joseph Calzada as Doctor Grenvil, Michael Jesse Kuo as Marquis d’Obigny, and Nicolas Vasquez-Gerst as Giuseppe.
The creative team includes Tara Branham (Director), Johannes Löhner (Conductor), Noah Lindquist (Assistant Conductor & Chorus Master), Mark Anthony Vallejo (Assistant Director), Eric Flatmo (Set Designer), Mitchell Ost (Lighting Designer), Christina Martin (Hair and Makeup), Betty Poindexter (Costume Designer), Antara Bhardwaj (Choreographer), and Dave Maier (Fight Choreographer).
Tickets range from $58 to $215 and are available at operasj.org or by calling 408-437-4450.
Photo Credit: David Lepori
Mikayla Sager and the cast of La Traviata
Dancers from Antara Asthaayi Dance
Michael Jesse Kuo, Joanne Evans, and the male ensemble
Mikayla Sager
WooYoung Yoon and Mikayla Sager
Mikayla Sager and Kidon Choi
Robert Balonek and Mikayla Sager
Nicole Koh and WooYoung Yoon
