Bad girls have all the fun—until they fall in love. Violetta, a carefree courtesan, is living the high life in Paris when she falls for Alfredo, a nice guy who adores her. She renounces her wild ways and moves to the countryside with him. But her past catches up with her. Alfredo’s father shows up and asks her to end her shameful relationship with his son. Heartbroken, Violetta pretends she no longer cares for Alfredo and returns to the party life in Paris. When Alfredo learns she still loves him, he rushes to her side. They profess eternal love for each other—and then she dies of consumption.
If you think this sounds like something out of an Italian opera, you’re right. It’s the plot of Giuseppe Verdi’s La Traviata, Union Avenue Opera’s season opener. The beloved tragedy has brought audiences to their feet since 1853 and inspired the movie Camille, starring Greta Garbo. It comes to Union Avenue Opera July 11 for a two-weekend run, sponsored by Raymond James & Associates.
“La Traviata kicks off our 20th festival season with great style,” says conductor Scott Schoonover, founder and artistic director of UAO. Sung in the original Italian with an English translation projected on either side of the stage, the opera features a full orchestra and a 20-member chorus. The cast, a combination of local and international performers, includes Zulimar Lopez-Hernandez as Violetta and Riccardo Iannello as Alfredo. The production is directed by Tim Ocel.
Schoonover founded UAO in 1994. “Our mission, then as now, was to provide professional opportunities for gifted, emerging artists and to offer vibrant opera experiences at affordable prices to a diverse audience,” he says. The 2014 season, which runs July through August, includes productions of Andre Previn’s A Streetcar Named Desire and Wagner’s Siegfried.
To celebrate its 20th anniversary, UAO initiated Crescendo, an outreach and training program open to undergraduate students at eight area music programs: Webster University, University Missouri-St. Louis, Washington University, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Southern Illinois College, McKendree University, Missouri Baptist University and St. Charles Community College. “It’s a free, hands-on, performance-based training program developed to further the education of young artists as they prepare to join the arts community,” Schoonover explains. The inaugural class received $3,000 in scholarships, and several graduates are featured in the La
Traviata chorus, he adds.
UAO artists performed at a recent open house when Raymond James moved to 9900 Clayton Road in Ladue. “It was the greatest housewarming party ever!” says Raymond James managing director Mike O’Meara. “Some of our employees are involved with UAO, so it has a special place in our hearts. We believe in giving back to the community, and supporting cultural endeavors is just one of many ways we say thanks. The arts are essential to the health and reputation of our region. By presenting world-class entertainment and giving young artists a stepping stone to success, UAO shares our commitment to keeping St. Louis strong.”
By Tony Di Martino
Photo by Colin Miller of Strauss Peyton
Pictured: Michael O’Meara of Raymond James & Associates, Scott Schoonover of Union Avenue Opera