La Traviata

Spotlight is well-known on the Gold Coast for very successful musicals. Nevertheless it is a bold move to decide to stage opera, albeit a "boutique" version; will the audience accept it?           

This production was especially prepared with an English libretto interpreted by local writer / composer Anthony Gee, and an orchestral reduction for piano, cello and clarinet, arranged by Qld Conservatorium graduate Donnie MacKay. 

Directors Melanie Smart and Isaac Moody gathered some of Gold Coast's finest singers, with Melanie herself  playing Violetta's very demanding part and Roger Davy as Alfredo counterbalancing her strong coloratura. Particular mention must also be made of Owen Brown's dignified performance as Alfredo's father Giorgio.

So, did it all work? A perhaps over-simple set and some casual costuming and lighting … but yes, it worked very well, once I forced myself to stop listening in Italian (about halfway through the opening "Brindisi" - drinking song)! Opera of course is particularly about the voices and amongst the 12 performers there were no disappointments.

Melanie set a high vocal standard with Violetta's arias "Perhaps he is the One" and "Always Free" closing Act I. Everyone really hit their stride in Act II with ensemble pieces in perfect balance, very difficult to achieve in a small venue. "Di Sprezzo" (Contempt) was a harmonic joy, applauded at length by the largely non opera-going audience. I hope there will be more like this.

Eric James