The Staging of "La Traviata" at the Metropolitan Opera

I never thought I'd ever go to the opera and see this: couch-surfing.

In the Met's newest production of Verdi's "La Traviata," the main character, Violetta, reclines on a red couch while she is held aloft by a barrage of be-suited men and women, in a moment reminiscent of "Hello Dolly" or "Chicago."

In fact, if there is anything that should get you to this opera, it's the droves of men in black suits, their deep, masculine voices singing strongly, ecstatically, in Italian. Is there anything else that as a woman, you can ever want at the theater?

This version of "La Traviata," works for two audiences: those that have seen a traditional staging of the opera and/or those who can appreciate metaphors.

Like large, gaping, in-your-face-the-entire-time metaphors. In this production, which was imported from the 2005 Salzburg Festival, a giant clock sits atop a bare, white, half circular stage. It's guarded by a figure in black. You probably know who that figure is, he tends to creep up in the twilight of your life.

The clock counts down the time in the short life of Violetta, a prostitute dying of tuberculosis who falls in love for the first time. Yet because her lover, Alfredo, is an aristocrat and she is "la traviata," the fallen woman, they can never be together. The clock reinforces that.

It becomes heinously obvious sometimes, such as one moment where Violetta literally tries to stop the hands of the clock from turning. Then again, this is the opera, the land of exaggerated, melodramatic emotions. So of course the symbolism would be too.

Yet it's an impressive production because unlike traditional productions, which has opulent costumes and set to divert the eyes, here the unforgiving white brings everything into, sometimes harsh, focus. You can see every emotion that passes through the lover's faces and feel the despair. It's modern and minimalist, but it acts as a calming counterpoint to the extravagant emotions on display.

This is recommended for those new to opera but be forewarned, don't analyze too much in terms of staging or what's going on with the movements on stage. It's like a Chinese opera where every movement is charged with significance, where symbols are held and worn, and everything could be read in multiple layers. But that's what makes it refreshing as well.

And the drove of dancing, be-suited men (and some women), obviously helped the matters.

Details
What: "La Traviata" at the Metropolitan Opera
When: until January 29
Discounts: the Met offers $20 rush tickets for weekday performances and $25 for weekend. Or if you're a student and lazy, sign up for the Student Club to buy $25-$30 tickets online.

And here's a clip from the 2005 Salzburg production, with a different cast. But just look at the starkness and the emotions laid bare on it. Wondrous.



I've provided a translation, since the video does not have it.

Alfredo
Let's drink from the merry glasses
adorned with beauty;
and the fleeting hour
will be intoxicated with pleasure.
Let's drink from the sweet tremblings
arising from love,
because this eye, all-powerful,
pierces to the bottom of the heart.
Let's drink to love, and love's kisses
are hotter with the wine in our glasses.

Chorus
Ah! Let's drink, love's kisses
are hotter with the wine in our glasses.

Violetta (rising from her chair)
Among you
I spend such happy days;
let's not waste our time with things
that don't give us pleasure.
Let's enjoy life, for the delight of love
is fleeting and all too brief;
like a flowers that blooms and then withers,
love soon loses its scent and its beauty.
Let's enjoy life!
Its ardent call
draws us in with its charm.

Chorus
Ah! Let's enjoy life!
Wine and song
beautify night and laughter,
until the new day's dawn
finds us in this paradise.

Violetta (ad Alfredo)
Life is just a big party.

Alfredo (to Violetta)
What about love...

Violetta (to Alfredo)
Don't ask someone who's never loved.

Alfredo (to Violetta)
But this is my fate.

Chorus
Ah! yes, let's enjoy life...
Wine and song
beautify night and laughter,
until the new day's dawn
finds us in this paradise.