Love and betrayal
Dama International Opera takes on La Traviata in its first experimental opera production.
THE good people at Dama Orchestra have been talking for quite some time about staging an opera series of sorts. Now, they have finally taken the plunge, kicking off with Dama International Opera ( DIO)’ s first experimental opera production with La Traviata ( The Fallen Woman) at the Theatre Lounge Cafe in Sri Hartamas, Kuala Lumpur, which opens tonight.
This Italian opera by Giuseppe Verdi, first performed in Venice, Italy, in 1853, weaves a tale of tragic love and betrayal, centred on the dramatically colourful life of the fun- loving courtesan Violette Valery.
She hooks up with nobleman Alfredo Germont, who has secretly admired her from afar, things start to get serious between them – and then enters his father, who is vehemently opposed to his son’s entanglement with a woman of such notorious reputation.
DIO’s inaugural production of this Italian opera will feature its three main characters: the carefree courtesan Violette ( played by Sonia Rodriguez Bermejo), nobleman Alfredo Germont ( Hara Jeon) and Alfredo’s father Giorgio Germont ( Jidan Kim).
Like all of DIO’s upcoming opera perfor-
mances, La Traviata will be a reduced- cast staging with international collaboration.
Sonia, who will take on the lead role, is from Spain, while Jeon and Kim are both from South Korea.
DIO takes its minimalist approach further in that there is no elaborate stage sets or orchestra accompaniment, and the only musical instrument present will be the piano.
“There will be no dialogue, and we will not be presenting the recitatives from the opera. We will be presenting only the major arias ( in its original Italian) from the opera, with live narration ( by Lim Kien Lee) in English,” says director Pun Kai Loon of the 100- minute show, which includes a 30- minute intermission.
La Traviata was chosen by producer Khor Seng Chew for its wide appeal and universal themes.
“Inter- class love, parental objections and personal sacrifices amidst tragic circumstances... we can all identify with Violetta’s plight as she struggles with her conscience of not sacrificing her love for the better good,” says Pun, adding that La Traviata is an immensely popular opera and one of the most frequently performed operas worldwide.
He also points out that the music is topnotch, singling out drinking song Libiamo, as a particularly catchy number that you can hum along to.
“Sempre Libera, or Forever Free, is another popular tune, a bold coloratura solo that is one of Verdi’s more popular arias,” he says. ( Coloratura sopranos have strong voices, sing in the highest vocal range and specialise in florid runs and trills.)
Pun shares that they were initially cautious about venturing into opera works, their hesitation no doubt fuelled by the relatively low number of opera enthusiasts here.
“We have always felt that opera can be as equally powerful, creative and affecting theatrical form as plays, dance and musicals. However, we have never felt the market is big enough to support a full- scale work,” he explains.
So why not simply work with what is already there – a small group of opera lover, and hopefully, a bigger group that is curious enough to give it a go.
Instead of waiting for the right crowd to come along for full- scale opera works, they decided to take the bull by its horns and initiate this introductory opera series.
“DIO aims to introduce opera works to those who are unfamiliar as well as enhanc-
ing its appreciation among those who know,” says Pun, adding that its primary goal is to eventually grown an appreciative audience for opera works.
With DIO’s cross- border creative team ( including casting director Kevin Park, répétiteur Hsu Wei- En, production pianist Khoo Khe Sin , lighting designer Lim Ang Swee and costume designer Dominique Devonsine) working hard behind the scenes, Pun shares that they hope to produce “consistent and quality opera works” that will win audiences over.
“Hopefully, operas can be an important alternative art form that singers can pursue professionally on stage and the public can enjoy as an added avenue for entertainment,” he shares.
La Traviata will play at theatre Lounge Café ( B1- 3a, Plaza Damas 3, No. 63, Jalan Sri Hartamas 1, Sri Hartamas, Kuala Lumpur) from today to aug 16 ( no shows on aug 10 and 13) at 9pm. tickets are rM106 ( standard seat) and rM167 ( sofa seat). Students with valid student ID, buy two tickets to get one free. For details and ticket purchase, call 012236 9100 or 03- 6730 7982. Go to the website theatreloungecafe.com for more information.