Iowa Public Radio’s 2016 Opera in October series dramatically concludes with a brilliant January performance by the Cedar Rapids Opera Theatre. We’ll broadcast Verdi’s La Traviata on Saturday, October 29 at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, October 30 at 3:00 p.m.
A tragic love story set in Paris around 1870, Verdi’s La Traviata opens with Alfredo Germont falling in love with the courtesan Violetta Valéry. They live happily for a time before Alfredo’s father Giorgio convinces her to leave Alfredo for his own honor. The gorgeous soprano Danielle Talamantes performs as Violetta with Jason Slayden as Alfredo and Stephen Gaertner as Germont. Eric Ferring appears as Gastone with Erin Bryan as Annina, and Loralee Songer as Flora. Cedar Rapids Opera Theatre founder and Artistic Director Dr. Daniel Kleinknecht conducts, while James Marvel serves as guest Stage Director.
