Opera Hunter's La Traviata On Stage
- intouch Magazine
- Dec 1, 2021
- 2 min read
Opera Hunter is delighted to present a new production of Verdi’s most famous and beloved opera, La Traviata, at Warners Bay Theatre, 16 to 27 February 2022.
The production is sung in English and has been adapted from the novel The Lady of The Camellias by French writer Alexander Dumas Jr. It tells the story of Violetta Valery, a highclass courtesan, her life and times in Paris in the nineteenth century, her love for Alfredo Germont, and the forces of society and family that wrenched them apart. Director Michael Blaxland sets the work in the late 1880s, depicting both the glamour and the seedy side of the times.
Ashlee Woodgate sings Violetta, Sam Elmi is Alfredo, PJ Willis and Tristan Entwistle sing Germont. With the Opera Hunter Chorus and The Opera Hunter Orchestra, the production is conducted by Christopher Bearman OAM. Violetta’s friend Flora is shared by mezzo-sopranos Anthea Harrington and Joanna Andrew. Violetta’s servant Annina is Galatea Kneath, tenor John Campbell sings Gaston, James Walker is Baron Duphol, and noted Australian bass Michael Saunders plays Doctor Grenvil. Bass Malcolm Young will sing the role of The Marquis D’Obigny, and tenor Stewart McGowan is Guiseppe, Violetta’s servant.
Ashlee Woodgate is currently completing a Masters of Music (Performance Teaching) at The University of Melbourne and has performed many roles, including Susanna in Opera Hunter’s The Marriage of Figaro and Zerlina in Don Giovanni. Ashlee made her Carnegie Hall debut in New York, playing First Lady in The Magic Flute for The Manhattan Opera Studio and also made her debut at the National Opera Centre.
Iranian born and Sydney based tenor Sam Elmi is a prizewinning and exciting new talent. He is known to Opera Hunter audiences as a principal soloist in concerts, oratorio and opera. He sang Frederic in the Pirates of Penzance for Opera Hunter and debuted Alfredo for Pacific Opera in November 2021. Sam is a medical doctor qualified in Iran and Australia.
Lake Macquarie City Council is the copresenter of this production, and Opera Hunter is very grateful for the council’s support and encouragement of the arts.
For more information and tickets visit www.operahunter.org.au
