Latest news with #LaTraviata
RNZ News
19 hours ago
- Entertainment
- RNZ News
Singing for a living
This audio is not downloadable due to copyright restrictions. Oliver Sewell at St. Andrew's on The Terrace Photo: Screengrab by SOUNZ Singing. It's nice work if you can get it, and you can get it if you're talented and determined enough. Oliver Sewell is a principal artist at Theater Bremen in Germany. That means he has to sing a lot of opera. It's full time work, it's demanding work, but he loves it. Sewell is back in New Zealand during one of the breaks in his work in Bremen to sing Alfredo, the lead tenor role in the Auckland Philharmonia's semi-staged production of Verdi's opera La Traviata . The Christchurch-raised tenor spoke with RNZ Concert's Bryan Crump ahead of the performance early next month. They talked about his musical life in Bremen (a city a little smaller in size but with slightly more people than his home town), where he's been based since 2021. The classical music life is pretty good too. Photo: Stefan Sch89 He really appreciates the variety of opera he gets to sing, and the fact he doesn't have to travel all around Europe to sing it. Sewell's interest in singing developed as a child. "I think I was always humming a tune... I never really thought about it until I got to University and started thinking about what I would do." It was while he was at Canterbury University that he got into the Christchurch Cathedral Choir as a tenor. There he met the conductor Brian Law, who encouraged his talent and gave Sewell opportunities to perform that "maybe we shouldn't have had", singing with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra. Paid gigs as well, which wasn't lost on the young man - "doing something I'd always done for fun, and then getting some money for it." Translated to English, La Traviata means "The Fallen Woman". Is Violetta (the female lead, sung by Romanian soprano Luiza Fatyol) a fallen woman, or a free spirit? That's up to the singer playing the role to decide. And what sort of a man is Alfredo, when played by Oliver Sewell? Sewell says he needs to wait to meet his opposite number before deciding how to respond to her, but his Alfredo is certainly passionate, and possibly a little naive. One thing we can say for sure: when Oliver Sewell plays Alfredo, he'll sound fantastic.
Yahoo
15-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
REVIEW: Duchy Opera thrills audiences with La Traviata
Duchy Opera have thrilled audiences over two days in Falmouth with this year's performance. Their latest production of La Traviata, directed by Angela Agutter Thomas, is a heartfelt and visually sumptuous interpretation of Verdi's enduring masterpiece. The production was held on June 5 and 6 at the Princess Pavilion, Falmouth. With an English translation by Ruth and Thomas Martin, this rendition brings renewed accessibility and poignancy to a classic story of love, sacrifice, and societal constraint. Set in the opulence of 19th-century Paris, the opera charts the tragic romance between the enchanting courtesan Violetta and the ardent Alfredo Germont. Verdi, drawing from Alexandre Dumas fils' La Dame aux camélias, creates a deeply sympathetic portrayal of Violetta, whose nobility and devotion shine through her sorrow. The production skilfully conveys this emotional arc, aided by striking visuals—including a logo inspired by Dumas' play, designed by Louis Dutton—and a richly atmospheric stage design. With the performance being in English, one could easily see a close resemblance to the dramas and the lives of the British upper classes. The Princess Pavilion made for a good venue, as during the interval guests were able to enjoy alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and cakes and ice cream in the surroundings of the gardens and the sun setting. The musical direction under Patrick Bailey is superb, maintaining both lyrical intimacy and sweeping grandeur. The chorus, trained by chorus master Richard Jackson, provides powerful ensemble moments that enhance the opera's emotional intensity. Verdi's lush score—punctuated by unforgettable arias like "Sempre libera" and "Addio del passato"—is performed with compelling passion and precision. Particularly notable is the central performance of Violetta, a role beloved by sopranos and demanding both vocal agility and emotional depth. In this production, she is portrayed with affecting sincerity and vocal brilliance, embodying the fragility and strength that make her story so timeless. With ticket prices accessible to a wide audience—students at £10 and U17s free—Duchy Opera demonstrates its commitment to community engagement and the enduring power of opera. Under the guidance of artistic consultant Russell Pascoe and a dedicated creative team, this La Traviata is both faithful to Verdi's vision and alive with contemporary resonance. Duchy Opera is notable for its past performances and has previously staged concerts such as Around the World in 18 Songs, Die Fledermaus and their Christmas concert. The production was a must-see for both seasoned opera lovers and newcomers alike; it captures the glamour, tragedy, and humanity of Verdi's most performed work.
San Francisco Chronicle
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
Review: S.F. Opera's ‘La Bohème' will make you feel all the emotions
You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll want to see it again. Giacomo Puccini's 'La Bohème,' the most-performed and quite possibly the most-loved opera in the standard repertory, has opened San Francisco Opera's summer season with a bang. Under the baton of guest conductor Ramón Tebar, with snappy work by revival director Katherine M. Carter, this production at the War Memorial Opera House comes about as close to musical and dramatic perfection as you can get. Each of the singers in the cast has real star quality — more on that in a bit. Just as importantly, they form a superb ensemble with the split-second timing of great comedians. Sure, there are big, famous arias, but the effectiveness of 'La Bohème' depends on swift movement from incident to incident. During the opening-night performance on Tuesday, June 3, Tebar's flexible, generous conducting matched that timing and gave this sophisticated score, full of complex tempo and metrical changes, cohesion and tremendous momentum. Add in the magnificent playing of the San Francisco Opera Orchestra, performing despite unresolved labor negotiations, and the evening was sheer magic. The basic story is uncomplicated: Boy (the poet Rodolfo) meets girl (the seamstress Mimì). They fall in love. She dies of tuberculosis, an incurable scourge in the 19th century. (If this sounds familiar, Verdi's 'La Traviata,' also a great repertory staple, has a similar trajectory, though a vastly different emotional profile.) In tenor Pene Pati and soprano Karen Chia-ling Ho, the company has an ideal pair of leads. Pati's natural charm and beautiful, easy sound light up everything he does — he was an adorable Nemorino in 2023's ' The Elixir of Love. ' Meanwhile, Ho's shyness and fragility at her character's first entrance on Tuesday grew into real strength over the course of the opera, supported by her big, dark and beautifully controlled voice. There was real chemistry between the two, and you could believe that they'd fallen in love over a lost key only minutes after meeting. That's the baseline drama in the opera: Will Mimì live or die? Will she and Rodolfo stay together or be driven apart by illness? The story of the painter Marcello (baritone Lucas Meachem) and sometime kept woman Musetta (soprano Andrea Carroll in a sparkling and very funny company debut) runs parallel. The couples pair off, split up, come together again. Meachem and Carroll made their characters' love and affection perfectly clear, as well as the fact that the emotional cycle is likely to repeat indefinitely. This Marcello can barely bring himself to curse at Musetta wandering off with a new man at the close of Act 3, an interesting and persuasive dramatic choice emphasizing their hopeless love for each other. Carroll's Musetta might be a bit of a witch ('Strega!' as Marcello shouts), but she's as kindly toward Mimì as Meachem's warmhearted and enormously sympathetic Marcello is toward Rodolfo. Rounding out the cast of bohemians are the philosopher Colline and the musician Schaunard. Romanian bass Bogdan Talos, in his company debut, sang Colline's aria to his old coat, about to be sold to buy medicine for the dying Mimì, with poignant, heart-wrenching intimacy. Baritone Samuel Kidd, a current Adler Fellow, integrated Schaunard seamlessly into the antics, projecting enormous sorrow even as he turns his back on the fading Mimì. Bass-baritone Dale Travis was riotous as the landlord Benoit, outwitted by the bohemians when he tries to collect overdue rent, and as Alcindoro, Musetta's hapless admirer — roles Travis has played numerous times at the Opera. Members of the San Francisco Girls and Boys Choruses enlivened the Act 2 Latin Quarter scene with enthusiastic acting and accurate singing, and the Opera Chorus brought its customary excellence to many moments. David Farley's efficient production design allows easy transitions from the bohemians' garret to different places around Paris. The main dwelling, modeled on the works of painter Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, nonetheless seems a bit drab for a 19th century artist's studio. Regardless, Carter's direction brings a wealth of vivid interactions to crowd scenes and among the principals. Eight performances remain, divided between the opening-night singers and an enticing alternate cast for Rodolfo, Mimì, Marcello and Musetta. For a great afternoon or evening, get out your handkerchiefs and get yourself to the War Memorial Opera House.
Observer
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Observer
New opportunities bloom for young Omani designers at ROHM
Imagine the excitement of being asked to create something for a major international event. For emerging designers in Oman, participating in The Violetta Project at the Royal Opera House Muscat offers a chance to showcase their talent and gain valuable experience. It's not just about designing costumes; it's about taking part in a cultural event that can open doors to new opportunities. For young creative minds, this experience can be inspiring and motivating, giving them a taste of what it's like to work on a global stage. The project focused on reimagining the character of Violetta from Verdi's La Traviata, encouraging students to interpret her emotional journey through fashion. Participants explored her story, transforming her character's complexities into visual designs. For many of these young designers, it was their first encounter with a project of this scale and significance. They had the chance to learn new skills, collaborate with professionals, and imagine how their work could contribute to storytelling in the performing arts. It was an opportunity to see how fashion can help bring a dramatic character to life, marrying design with narrative. Oman's fashion scene has been growing steadily over recent years. Designers like Amal Al Raisi have made a name for themselves by creating modest clothing that appeals across the Middle East. Her designs blend traditional styles with modern influences, helping to define a unique contemporary identity. Amal has built a brand that resonates with many, becoming a symbol of how local talent can influence regional fashion and expand its reach. Another prominent figure in Oman's fashion industry is Atelier Zuhra. Known for its high-end gowns, the brand has attracted international attention and has dressed some of the world's biggest artists and celebrities. This success story shows how Oman's creative industry is developing rapidly, with local brands gaining recognition on the global stage. It proves that with talent and dedication, Oman can compete in the international fashion market. These achievements are happening alongside initiatives like those at the Royal Opera House Muscat, which actively supports young talent and cultural exchange. The partnership with the Scientific College of Design is a good example. It offers students a rare chance to work on projects that connect fashion, theatre, and music — broadening their experience and exposing them to international standards. Such collaborations help bring fresh ideas into Oman's creative industries and encourage dialogue between local and international artists. Recent performances of La Traviata featured acclaimed singers and a renowned conductor, Plácido Domingo. But it's programmes like The Violetta Project that tap into the real potential of Oman's growing arts scene. When young designers get involved in projects like this, they gain not just skills but confidence. They see that their work can reach wider audiences and have a real impact. By supporting these kinds of initiatives, Oman is building a stronger arts and fashion scene. These opportunities help young talent gain exposure, learn from experts, and prepare for future success. They also demonstrate Oman's commitment to developing its creative industries — creating a space where new ideas thrive and cultural stories are told through many forms of art. For these young designers, participating in such projects isn't just a chance to learn; it's a step towards a brighter future for Oman's cultural landscape.
Times of Oman
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Times of Oman
ROHM announces winners of Violetta design project
Muscat: The Royal Opera House Muscat (ROHM) , in collaboration with the Scientific College of Design, announced the winners of The Violetta Project: A Journey into Fashion Design, a special initiative inspired by its recent production of Verdi's La Traviata. This project invited fashion design students to explore the character of Violetta through the lens of costume design, reimagining her emotional journey in fresh, creative ways. As a place of learning and cultural enrichment, the Royal Opera House Muscat continues to open its doors through educational initiatives that make opera and the arts more accessible. This project encouraged students to approach opera from a new perspective, deepening their engagement with narrative, character, and historical context. After a series of curated workshops that supported students in translating Violetta's dramatic evolution into visual design, two standout participants, Nihal Al-Khaziri and Shadan Al-Malki, were selected for their compelling work. Their designs impressed judges with their ability to capture the complexity and transformation of Violetta's character, blending narrative insight with innovative fashion interpretation. The project fostered both technical and creative growth, equipping young designers with professional tools in storytelling and character development while inspiring a deeper appreciation for opera and its emotional richness. Acclaimed performances The initiative coincided with two acclaimed performances of La Traviata on May 1 and 3, conducted by the legendary Plácido Domingo with the Orchestra and Chorus of Teatro Carlo Felice, under the direction of Marta Domingo. The production starred Juliana Grigoryan in her faultless and emotionally bruising debut as Violetta and Yusif Eyvazov as Alfredo, his fabulous tenor voice offering the perfect partnership. The production featured striking visuals and flamenco-inspired choreography by the Antonio Gades Company.
