CARMEL, Ind. — Indianapolis Opera is inviting audiences to experience their live performance of “La Traviata” a classic known for its music, romance and heartbreak. The show will feature local talent and English supertitles.
The opera is a good introduction for people who have never attended a performance, said David Starkey, the company’s general director. Audiences may recognize music such as the “Libiamo” drinking song from popular culture, he said.
“It is the most produced opera in the entire world,” Starkey said. “It’s a very good opera to come to if you’ve not been to an opera before.”
The story of love is one many people can relate to, Starkey said. The production also gives audiences a chance to support local artists, including cast and chorus members from Indianapolis.
Ron Dukes, a Brownsburg graduate, is returning to Indianapolis Opera for a role debut as Doctor Grenvil. He previously performed with the company in 2017 while an undergraduate, singing in the chorus and taking a small supporting role with a few solo lines.
“Now I’m back making a role debut with them, and I couldn’t be happier,” Dukes said.
Starkey said the company works to develop regional talent, including performers connected to Indiana University, Ball State University, the University of Indianapolis and Butler University. Some chorus members may return in future productions, he said.
Starkey said opera can appeal to people who might not otherwise choose to attend. Friends can make an evening of it, families can introduce younger relatives to the art form, and audiences can experience singing, dance, orchestra, costumes and design together onstage.
“Every single story that you would ever have seen before,” Starkey said, “there it is sitting there on the stage, giving you a relevant insight to what today is.”
The opera is performed in Italian, with English supertitles projected for the audience. Dukes said viewers do not need to research the story beforehand to follow the performance.
Performances are scheduled for Nov. 13-15 at the Tarkington Theater in Carmel. The theater seats about 500 to 600 people. Tickets are available at indyopera.org.
