Opera on the Mall Releases Tickets to LA TRAVIATA Broadcast Today

FREE tickets to Opera Philadelphia's HD broadcast of La traviata will be available to the public starting today, September 2. You can score your free tickets to Opera on the Mall beginning at 10 a.m. at operaonthemall.org. Everyone who registers will be entered to win an Opera Philadelphia subscription for two to the 2015-2016 Opera at the Academy series.

On Saturday, Oct. 3, at 7:00 p.m., our community will gather together to enjoy the opening of the cultural season with one of the most popular operas of all time. Opera Philadelphia's season-opening performance of Verdi's tragic love story will be broadcast in high definition from the stage of the Academy of Music to a giant outdoor screen in the shadow of the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall.

Featuring Verdi's most timeless and lyrical score, La traviata has continued to captivate audiences for more than 150 years. In the glamorous world of Paris-updated to the mid-20th century in this lavish production from the National Opera House of Bucharest-a naive young man falls head over heels for a beautiful party girl. One of opera's greatest romances takes a wrenching turn after they risk everything for a chance at enduring love. Having proven herself "a house favorite" who "lights up the stage" (The New Yorker) at The Metropolitan Opera, soprano Lisette Oropesa makes her company and role debuts as doomed courtesan Violetta. Tenor Alek Shrader whose "singing is distinguished by a simultaneous lyricism and verve" (Opera News), makes his company and role debuts as Alfredo, who seems to be the man of Violetta's dreams. As Alfredo's father, Germont, who disapproves of the couple's love, baritone Stephen Powell brings "a rich, lyric baritone, commanding presence, and thoughtful musicianship" (Wall Street Journal).

This is the fifth year Opera Philadelphia will launch its season with a free broadcast at Independence National Historical Park. Last year, some 6,000 guests enjoyed the broadcast of Rossini's The Barber of Seville from their picnic blankets and chairs. Event information is available at operaonthemall.org or by calling 215.732.8400.

Opera on the Mall is presented through PNC Arts Alive, a multi-year, multi-million dollar initiative of the PNC Foundation. Since its introduction, PNC Arts Alive has provided a total of $7 million to support more than 160 arts programs and 80 organizations to increase access to the arts and culture in Philadelphia-Southern New Jersey. The goal of PNC Arts Alive is to help area residents gain access to the arts and to help arts organizations expand and engage audiences. In 2015, twenty-two organizations were selected for their bold thinking around increasing arts access and engagement. For more information about Opera Philadelphia's grant and all of the funded programs, visit www.pncartsalive.com.

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