New Take on Verdi’s La Traviata Coming to Minneapolis via Out of the Box Opera
Tuesday, March 1, 2022 at 4:28AMArticle by Becky Fillinger
Noah EisenbergHave you made up your mind that opera is not for you? Or do you welcome any chance to attend opera? Both groups – listen up. Out of the Box Opera is bringing La Traviata to Minneapolis – an immersive experience where you’ll travel through the Canopy Hotel along with Violetta Valery, the fallen woman! We spoke to Noah Eisenberg, President and David Lefkowich, Founding Artistic Director of Out of the Box Opera to find out more about this upcoming special treat for new and experienced opera lovers.
Q: Please tell us about the upcoming production of La Traviata in Minneapolis - will it be a collaboration? Will it be immersive? What should we expect to see and hear?
A: I am tremendously excited about the upcoming production of the Traviata with Out of the Box Opera and Opera Columbus. This is a first-time collaboration between Opera Columbus and Out of the Box Opera. By combining our resources, we are able to create a spectacular operatic experience which will premier in Minneapolis in May. The audience won’t just be spectators for this experience. Instead, they will be participants in the drama as the opera unfolds. The audience will be the guests of Violetta Valery, famed courtesan. After the first scene in the lobby of the Canopy Hotel, they will travel through the hotel, experiencing the different scenes of Violetta‘s life and her love to Alfredo. This is an immersive experience where the audience will be in the front row for Verdi’s masterpiece. The cast and the orchestra will be comprised of Minnesota favorites and some fantastic guest artists. The show dates are May 27 – May 29, 2022.
David LefkowichQ: You mentioned you're also bringing La Traviata to Columbus, OH as a partnership with Opera Columbus. Will you take the production to other cities?
A: Yes, we would like to be able to take this production of La Traviata to cities all over the United States and eventually all over the world. The current plan is to premiere this piece in Hong Kong and Tokyo in 2023 and 2024.
Q: Out of the Box Opera seeks to introduce younger or new audiences to opera through productions in nontraditional settings with innovative programs. Are you seeing results from your efforts? What is most successful in finding and winning over new fans?
A: Out of the Box Opera creates unique experiences for anyone seeking to be entertained. We love new audiences, and we understand that opera is not always easy and accessible for everyone. By taking opera out of the theater and putting it in unique venues and experiences for our audiences, we have had tremendous success bringing new and returning audiences to our productions. We are seeing results - the more we bring our audiences into these immersive experiences, the more likely it is for someone to want to come back and experience an opera again and again.
Q: You've directed operas locally here in Minnesota, but also across the country and internationally as well. What are your perceptions of the audience for opera here?
A: I love creating opera productions in Minneapolis. The audiences in the Twin Cities are intelligent and creative and are willing to take risks in what they see and experience in theatre, music and opera. I love having an audience that is so willing to engage in a dialogue with me and the artists after the production. Without a doubt, Minneapolis has been the most satisfying place in the entire world, and I look forward to many more productions in the near future.
Q: Do you have other Twin Cities' productions planned for 2022?
A: Yes, we are excited about being a summer experience in Minneapolis, as well as bringing back some of our old favorites this fall. Stay tuned for more information in the coming months.
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