Summer encore series will feature four Met Opera returns from previous seasons on screen
Sedona AZ (July 5, 2015) – The Mary D. Fisher Theatre is honored to be the new home for the Met Live Opera programs for the upcoming 2015-2016 season, presented by the Sedona International Film Festival. The Met Opera season will kick off with a series of four encore performances on the big screen this summer, which will also be featured in Sedona.
These productions include: “La Traviata” on July 11; “La Fille Du Regiment” on July 18; “The Merry Widow” on July 25; and “Aida” on Aug. 8. All performances will be on Saturdays at 1 p.m., and all tickets will be the special encore price of $12.50.
“We are proud to continue to bring Opera to the fans and patrons in Sedona, the Verde Valley and Northern Arizona,” said film festival director Patrick Schweiss. “Chamber Music Sedona has done a fantastic job of presenting these Opera events over the last few years. We will continue to present the same great Operas in high definition in the Met’s new home here at our Mary D. Fisher Theatre.”
“La Traviata” — Giuseppe Verdi
Saturday, July 11 at 1 p.m
Star soprano Natalie Dessay takes the stage as Violetta Valéry, the tragic courtesan who sacrifices everything for love, opposite American tenor Matthew Polenzani as Alfredo Germont. Dmitri Hvorostovsky sings Giorgio Germont, Alfredo’s father, who disapproves of Violetta’s lifestyle but is moved by her plight. Fabio Luisi conducts Willy Decker’s innovative, modern-dress staging of one of the most-loved operas of all time.
“An enormous success… Willy Decker’s grippingly spare, almost surreal new production of Verdi’s Traviata has come back for this season as a vehicle for the soprano Natalie Dessay, who made a wrenching impression as the fatally ill courtesan. In the final act her performance of ‘Addio, del passato,’ Violetta’s farewell to dreams of happy days past, was mellifluous and achingly real.” –The New York Times
“Delivers style, sparkle, and stirring drama…” – Los Angeles Times
Synopsis of “La Traviata”:
ACT I: Violetta Valéry knows that she will die soon, exhausted by her restless life as a courtesan. At a party she is introduced to Alfredo Germont, who has been fascinated by her for a long time. Rumor has it that he has been enquiring after her health every day. The guests ask Alfredo to propose a toast. He celebrates true love, and Violetta responds in praise of free love. She is touched by his candid manner and honesty. Suddenly, she feels faint, and the guests withdraw. Only Alfredo remains behind and declares his love. There is no place for such feelings in her life, Violetta replies. But she gives him a camellia, asking him to return when the flower has faded. Alone, Violetta is torn by conflicting emotions—she doesn’t want to give up her way of life, but at the same time she feels that Alfredo has awakened her desire to be truly loved.
ACT II: Violetta has chosen a life with Alfredo, and they enjoy their love in the country, far from society. When Alfredo discovers that this is only possible because Violetta has been selling
her property, he leaves for Paris to procure money. In his absence, Alfredo’s father, Giorgio Germont, pays Violetta a visit. He demands that she separate from his son, as their relationship
threatens his daughter’s impending marriage. Over the course of their conversation, Germont comes to realize that Violetta is not after his son’s money but loves him unselfishly. He appeals to her generosity of spirit and Violetta finally agrees to leave Alfredo forever. Only after her death shall he learn the truth about why she returned to her old life. She accepts an invitation to a masked ball she has received and writes a goodbye letter to her lover. Alfredo returns, and while he is reading the letter, his father appears to console him. But all the memories of home and family can’t prevent the furious Alfredo from seeking revenge for Violetta’s apparent betrayal. At the masked ball, news has spread of Violetta and Alfredo’s separation. She arrives with her new lover, Baron Douphol. Alfredo and the baron battle at the gaming table and Alfredo wins a fortune. When everybody has withdrawn, Alfredo confronts Violetta, who claims to be in love with the Baron. In his rage Alfredo calls the guests as witnesses and declares that he doesn’t owe Violetta anything. He throws his winnings at her. Giorgio Germont, who has witnessed the scene, rebukes his son for his behavior. The baron challenges his rival to a duel.
Act III: Violetta is dying. Her last remaining friend, Doctor Grenvil, knows that she has only a few more hours to live. Alfredo’s father has written to Violetta, informing her that his son was not injured in the duel. Full of remorse, he has told him about Violetta’s sacrifice. Alfredo wants to rejoin her as soon as possible. Violetta is afraid that he might be too late. The sound of rampant celebrations are heard from outside while Violetta is in mortal agony. But Alfredo does arrive and the reunion fills Violetta with a final euphoria. Her energy and exuberant joy of life return. All sorrow and suffering seems to have left her—a final illusion, before death claims her.
Tickets are now on sale for all four summer encores by calling 928-282-1177 or visiting www.SedonaFilmFestival.org. Tickets are specially priced at $12.50 for these encores. Both the theatre and film festival office are located at 2030 W. Hwy. 89A, in West Sedona.