Routinely Amazing

AVA harnesses the enormity of La Traviata.

by Peter Burwasser

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Published: May 13, 2008

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La Traviata is a stage work of enormous emotional range, and many a large production has reined in some of the more rambunctious, even histrionic elements of the perennial favorite. Not so AVA. Theirs was a staging that celebrated a bigness of expression in a way made more startling given the tiny confines of the theater on Spruce Street. In the large party scenes, the stage overflowed with hyperkinetic bodies, and the garish multicolored lighting suggested that the character of the title, Violetta, was not merely a courtesan, but an out-and-out whore. And as always with AVA, there is the rich, powerful conducting of Christofer Macatsoris, punctuating the music with strong accents, and moving the action along at a steady but never hectic clip.

Director Dorothy Danner regularly manages to work magic with smoke and mirrors on the diminutive stage here, and the brilliance and passion of Macatsoris should never be taken for granted. But one goes to AVA shows primarily to hear the consistently remarkable young singers. Even minor roles were well turned out, such as the menacingly unctuous Barone Douphol of Steven LaBrie, and Nina Yoshida Nelsen's touchingly doting performance as Violetta's maid, Annina. The leads this evening were especially well matched vocally. Jan Cornelius as Violetta, and Michael Fabiano as Alfredo both possess large, ringing voices that they are unafraid to use in a boldly theatrical fashion, even at the risk of an occasional wobbly phrase. These kids were not playing it safe.

Their respective acting abilities were, however, not on the same level. Fabiano, a third-year student, has improved immensely since his earlier days at AVA. But Cornelius is a complete natural, right out of the starting gate. She makes the daunting role her own, with subtle strength and rare, natural poignancy. That she is a first-year student is a marvel; it should be a great privilege to watch her progress over the next three years. But then, AVA routinely turns out amazing world-class opera singers. Routinely amazing — what a concept.

(p_burwasser@citypaper.net)

La Traviata May 6, Academy of Vocal Arts

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