Minoru Chapel Opera presents La Traviata

One of opera’s most beloved and romantic works, Giuseppe Verdi’s La Traviata, is coming to Minoru Chapel on Wednesday, May 6 at 2 and 7 p.m.

Burnaby Lyric Opera—the critically acclaimed company based at the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts in Burnaby—is returning to the Minoru Chapel Opera series to perform highlights from this musical masterpiece and timeless tale of love, loss, society and sacrifice.

Set in mid-19th century Paris, this opera tells the tragic story of a Parisian courtesan who sacrifices all for love. At its 1853 premiere, censors and audiences alike were shocked by Verdi’s frank, unsentimental depiction of an upper class courtesan and contemporary subject. Today, La Traviata is considered a masterpiece and is one of the most popular operas ever written.

This concert will be performed by five local rising opera stars: soprano Gina McLellan-Morel (Violetta), tenor Brian Lee (Alfredo), baritone Andrew Greenwood (Germont), bass-baritone Brandon Thornhill (Marquis) and mezzo-soprano Emma Parkinson (Flora), under the musical direction of David Boothroyd.

For its innovative productions and high performance standards, the Burnaby Lyric Opera has received praise not only from local critics, but the high-profile opera magazine, Opera Canada. The company has a vision to give emerging professional and semi-professional opera singers in British Columbia, the opportunity to sing leading roles in fully-staged operas.

The May 6 concert is the final concert of the Minoru Chapel Opera spring 2015 season. Due to restoration work planned for the chapel this fall, the next season will be in spring 2016.

The series of concerts is held at the historic Minoru Chapel, located at 6540 Gilbert Road, Richmond (beside Gateway Theatre.) Seating in is limited and tickets can be purchased at the door (cash only) or, as recommended, in advance by calling 604-276-4300. Please quote course # 938105 for the 2 p.m. show, or #938108 for the 7 p.m. show. Admission is $20 for adults and $18 for students and seniors. Doors are open 30 minutes prior to show time. Minoru Chapel is wheelchair accessible.

Minoru Chapel Opera is presented with support from the Richmond Review.

For more information, please visit www.richmond.ca/minoruchapel and www.burnabylyricopera.org.