Verdi’s La Traviata – Boheme Opera (2001) – The Trenton Times

La Traviata was not my favorite Verdi opera…until last Friday evening, that is. That was when I saw the first of two performances of Boheme Opera’s production. [This production] may have been Boheme’s finest effort to date. I feel confident that most, if not all, of the members of the two sell-out audiences that saw the production would agree with that assessment. This Traviata had a splendid cast with first rate voices. They were skillfully directed on a stage filled with gorgeous scenery. A word must be said early on about the work of stage director James Marvel, who brought to these familiar characters a humanity that they do not often possess. The production was marked by many small touches that made clear that these were not remote, stock operatic characters but human beings caught up in events beyond their control.

One such touch: In the early moments of Act I, Marvel highlighted Baron Douphol’s jealousy and possessiveness toward Violetta in a revealing way. The final act death scene was heartbreaking.

– The Trenton Times, May 2, 2001, Donald Delany