LA Opera's Traviata sparkles, but doesn't quite shine

By Matthew Richard Martinez, 15 September 2014

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“Nino Machaidze was a glamorous presence, completely engrossed in Violetta's joy and suffering”

Reviewed at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Los Angeles on 13 September 2014

Verdi, La traviata

LA Opera

James Conlon, Conductor

Marta Domingo, Director, Costume Designer, Set Designer

Nino Machaidze, Violetta Valéry

Arturo Chacón-Cruz, Alfredo Germont

Plácido Domingo, Giorgio Germont

Vanessa Becerra, Annina

Peabody Southwell, Flora Bervoix

Brenton Ryan, Gastone de Letorières

Daniel Mobbs, Baron Douphol

Soloman Howard, Dr Grenvil

Daniel Armstrong, Marquis d'Obigny

Grant Gershon, Choirmaster / chorus director

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****1

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Matthew Richard Martinez, 31st May

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****1

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Michael Cavanagh's sleek new production, designed by Erhard Rom and conducted by James Conlon, transforms the 18th-century opera into a Broadway musical, score by Mozart.

****1

Compelling Turandot as LA Opera imports Hockney designs

Matthew Richard Martinez, 18th May

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***11

Book of Mountains and Seas reaches the American Pacific

Katherine Syer, 10th April

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LA Opera’s new Traviata lacks fizz

Matthew Richard Martinez, 6th April

Shawna Lucey's production from San Francisco Opera misses the mark as it premieres to a packed Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.

*1111

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Matthew Richard Martinez

A professional conductor living in Costa Mesa, California, Matthew received Bachelor of Music and MFA degrees from University of California, Irvine. An avid sports fan, when he’s not conducting or listening to music, he can be found cheering for his hometown San Diego Padres.