news-record.com

I witnessed the production of “La Traviata” by Greensboro Opera Nov. 13. Unfortunately, the production was not up to standard.

Plaudits: Mark Walters’ Giorgio Germont was superb! I have seldom heard a Giorgio Germont sung as well. The highlight of the opera was his “Di Provenza il mar” in the second act.

Chad Johnson performed well as Alfredo Germont. Fine voice production.

Violetta: The part is difficult. She has to carry the opera, and Jennifer Black did well. Her strengths overshadowed her weaknesses. A pleasing voice. In “Ah, for’sè lui,” her upper register may not have been as controlled as she would like, and at times her intonation wasn’t perfect, but she carried her part well throughout the opera.

The orchestra under Valéry Ryvkin was excellent.

However, the production as a whole was poor.

The slide show on what appeared to be a home movie screen was nothing short of ludicrous. This same screen dominated the entire opera, to the detriment of the action. During the first two acts, you could only guess that English subtitles were scrolling. By the third act they were readable.

No sets. No costumes. However, excuses were given in advance.

Zay David Sevier
Greensboro
 
The writer is a former assistant professor of music at Ohio State University.