Amore Opera Concludes Season with LA TRAVIATA, May 11

Amore Opera will conclude its third season with Verdi’s masterpiece, La Traviata, conducted by Gregory Ortega, and staged by Amore Opera’s Artistic Director, Nathan Hull. La Traviata, an opera in three acts, is the tragic love story of the famed French courtesan with a heart of gold, Violetta, and her arduous suitor, Alfredo Germont. Although they risk everything to be together, their pure and devoted love is thwarted by societal pressures and, ultimately, death.  La Traviata is presented in repertoire from May 11th through the 27th.

Verdi’s moving score is paired with a libretto by Francesco Maria Piave, after the play La Dame aux Camelias by Alexandre Dumas fils. Although not a commercial success when it was first premiered in Venice in 1853, La Traviata has gone on to become a staple in the standard repertoire, and one of the most produced works in opera houses around the globe (second only to The Magic Flute according to Operabase).

La Traviata is fully staged with full orchestra, and presented in its original Italian. Maestro Gregory Ortega returns to Amore after a brief stint guest conducting its 2010 production of Tosca. Mr. Ortega was actually in the audience the day that the original conductor fell ill and was, quite literally, plucked out of his seat by Mr. Hull to fill in. He led the orchestra with such aplomb that he was asked to return. He has conducted with most of the major small opera companies in New York City, Boston and Florida, including New Rochelle Opera, Treasure Coast Opera (Florida), and New York Concert Artists, in addition to having founded The Hunter College Opera Theater. Director Nathan Hull staged this season’s critically acclaimed Figaro Fest (The Barber of Seville, The Marriage of Figaro and the American premiere of Mercadante’s I due Figaro) and turns out another vibrant and stellar production. La Traviata is presented in repertoire from May 11th through the 27th.

Rounding out Amore’s Spring lineup is Gilbert & Sullivan’s beloved classic HMS Pinafore, as part of its popular “Opera-in-Brief” series. These performances, geared toward young audiences and families, are 90- minute abbreviated versions of popular operas, and are a great way to introduce children to the splendor of operatic performances.

In addition, this Spring season at Amore Opera will feature a special one-night-only encore of Figaro operas. “The Figaro Fest Gala” will be held on Tuesday, May 22nd and excerpts from all three operas will be presented. The Champagne Gala with full orchestra is conducted by Maestro Gregory Buchalter (Metropolitan Opera) and directed by Nathan Hull. Call (347) 948-4588 or write gala@amoreopera.org for an invitation. Tickets are $75.

Friday, May 11, 7:30 p.m. (press opening); Saturday, May 12, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, May 13, 2:30 p.m. Thursday, May 17, 7:30 p.m., Friday, May 18, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 19, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, May 20, 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 23, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 24, 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 25, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 26, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, May 27, 2:30 p.m.

Performances are at the Connelly Theater (220 East 4th Street). Tickets are $40.00 for general admission and $30.00 for students and seniors.

“Opera-in-Brief” tickets remain only $15 for everyone, so that it is affordable to bring the entire family! Tickets are accessible by visiting the Amore Opera website at www.amoreopera.org or by calling 1-866-811-4111. The Connelly Theater is located on the South Side of East 4th Street between Avenues A & B. The closest subway is the F train at 2nd Avenue-Houston Street, 1st Avenue exit.

 

 

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