The upcoming production of “La Traviata” by the Oswego Opera Theater is anticipated to be a remarkable rendition of a beloved classic. The opera will be performed in Italian, with English titles projected above the stage, and will feature a live orchestra conducted by Juan La Manna.

La Manna is the orchestral director, as well as an applied piano instructor and music literature and history professor at SUNY Oswego.

The opera is directed by Ben Spierman and will be sung by Julia Ebner, Alonzo Jordán Lopez and Michael Niemann. These singers are celebrated in Syracuse and New York City and consist of soprano, tenor and baritone voices. 

“Oswego Opera has recently produced works by Mozart and Gilbert and Sullivan. I felt it was time to do a traditional, classic opera. ‘La Traviata’ in particular has a great story behind it, originally written by Dumas,” La Manna said. 

“La Traviata” is based on a play, written by Alexandre Dumas, called “La Dame aux Camélias (1852).” It was later brought to life in the form of opera by Giuseppe Verdi in 1853.

“What is unique about our interpretation is that it is set in the present day. I think that will make it really accessible to everyone,” La Manna said. 

When asked what he thinks the audience will take away from the production, La Manna was confident in the timelessness of the story. 

“Whether it was performed for the first time in 1855, or a hundred years later, or now, it is truly universal,” La Manna said.

One notable aspect of this production is the involvement of the State Singers choir, an integral part of the performance. La Manna explained that the group joined after he approached their director for a potential partnership.

“The collaboration came about when I asked Dr. Ben May, the choir director, to coach and train the choir for ‘La Traviata,’” La Manna said. “He had the idea of involving the State Singers. They are enjoying the experience, they are enjoying the music, they are enjoying singing in a different language.”

La Manna has conducted “La Traviata” once before. “When someone does an opera the first time, they learn what went wrong and what is best. The second time around, one can look for details which hopefully will make the whole performance look more alive and better.”

La Manna has been focusing on the musical details of the production, specifically the dynamics, which are meant to draw out character attitudes and he anticipates a great show. 

“It is love and doing what seems the right thing at the expense of one’s happiness,” La Manna said. “It’s an amazing story, and our cast and choir are truly, really, really, very good. I think the whole production is going to be certainly wonderful.”

The performance of “La Traviata” is scheduled for Nov. 11 at 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 12 at 2 p.m. in Waterman Theatre.

Photo by: SHVETS Production via: Pexels