SFA to present 'La Traviata' opera

Mesquite freshman Tony Dibernardo, assistant scenic designer for SFA's production of Giuseppe Verdi's "La Traviata," applies Art Nouveau elements to the scenic drops. The Schools of Music and Theatre will present the opera at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 19, through Saturday, April 21, in W.M. Turner Auditorium.

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - The Stephen F. Austin State University College of Fine Arts, School of Music and School of Theatre will present Giuseppe Verdi's opera "La Traviata" at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 19, through Saturday, April 21, in W.M. Turner Auditorium, located in the Griffith Fine Arts Building.

"La Traviata," which is literally translated as "The Fallen Woman," centers on Violetta, a Parisian courtesan who suffers from consumption, and Alfredo Germont, a young gentleman who has long admired her.

The cast consists of more than 40 vocal students, with most of the principal roles double cast to maximize the performance opportunities for the students, explained Deborah Dalton, SFA associate professor of voice and the production's stage director.

For the Thursday and Saturday performances, graduate students Tiffanny Hamilton of Longview and Joshua Dennis of McKinney will sing the principal roles.

On Friday night, senior Page Madison of Carterville, Ill., will portray Violetta, and Dallas senior PJ Lopez will play Alfredo.

To make the opera more accessible, SFA's production will be sung in English. Additionally, supertitles will be projected above the stage for the audience members who would like to read the lyrics while they are being sung.

The production will be conducted by Gene H. Moon, director of orchestral studies at SFA, and will feature SFA orchestral students. SFA theatre faculty, staff and students are designing and/or providing the sets, lights and costumes.

The opera is part of the SFA College of Fine Arts' 2011-2012 University Series.

Prior to the April 19 performance, Dalton will give an informative talk at 7 p.m. in Griffith Gallery, directly across the hall from Turner Auditorium. The audience is invited back to the gallery after the performance for a reception and an opportunity to meet the cast.

The Griffith Fine Arts Building is located at 2222 Alumni Drive on the SFA campus.

Tickets are $18 for adults, $12 for seniors and $6 for students. For tickets or more information, please go to www.finearts.sfasu.edu or call (936) 468-6407 or (888) 240-ARTS.