By BRINTON WILKINS
Brinton@newsroom.byu.edu
As the first chords fill the de Jong Concert Hall, it is clear that the School of Music's production of Giuseppe Verdi's 'La Traviata' is going to leave the audience amazed and begging for more.
'La Traviata' tells the story of one woman, Violetta Valery, her lover, Alfredo Germont, and their struggle for love and redemption amid the rigid social mores of 1850s France.
Katherine Swigert, who played Violetta Jan. 21, was the centerpiece of the opera. Swigert's voice dominated the performance. She soared into the high soprano range with ease and clarity and made the music her own. With a passionate and sincere voice, she portrayed emotions as differing as love, despair and hope.
Nathan Northrup's Alfredo was also strong and convincing. Northrup's tenor voice blended well with Swigert's. However, at times, the orchestra overpowered his voice, which robbed the audience of hearing some of the delicate harmonies.
In general, the male leads all struggled at times to be heard above the full-orchestral accompaniment.
The chorus, boasting 30 members, all added energy, power and humor to the larger production numbers. Their intricate dancing and singing helped give the opera vitality.
Aside from the powerful performances, the overall production value of the show was high.
The set moved seamlessly from one scene to the next. In particular, the scene-change from the third act to the fourth was, strange to say, haunting and established the mood for the closing act. However, the scenery for the first act did seem one-dimensional, especially in comparison to the subtle beauty of the scenery for the fourth act.
The costumes were lavish across the board. Everyone, from the chorus members to the leads, were in period costumes full of texture, color and personality.
'La Traviata' is well worth the ticket-price. Those who have never attended an opera for fear of it being elitist and boring will be pleasantly surprised. The story, while set in the 1850s, is reminiscent of modern love stories. This production showcases the quality of BYU's music department and is not to be missed.
'La Traviata' will play through Jan. 29 at the de Jong Concert Hall in the Harris Fine Arts Center. Tickets may be purchased the HFAC ticket office and cost $10 and $8 for students.
See related story:
BYU opera production teaches joy and pain 1/8/2000