LA TRAVIATA - OPERA COLUMBUS
COLUMBUS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, CAPA COLUMBUS

Opera Columbus, The Columbus Symphony Orchestra, CAPA

Conductor: Rossen Milanov
Stage Director: Eve Summer
Scenic Design: Peter Dean Beck
Costume Design: Austin Blake Conlee
Lighting Design: Marcella Barbeau
Hair, Wig, and Makeup Design: Candace Leyland
Photos: Gentle Grace Photography

Cast: Aubry Ballaro, John Bellemer, Robert Kerr, Hilary Ginther, Benjamin Bunsold, Brandon Whitish, Artega Wright, Hannah Marie Bullock

“Opera Columbus Teams with CAPA and the Columbus Symphony for Sumptuous ‘La traviata’

Opera Columbus closes its 2025-26 season with a gorgeous, lively version of Verdi’s classic La traviata, in collaboration with CAPA and the Columbus Symphony, directed by Eve Summer… Summer does an astonishing job playing with the heightened reality of this world, understanding the fun is in not being mired in the quotidian, but uses the ensemble to bring in some naturalistic touches also: the opening scene feels like a party in a happily surprising way. I also greatly appreciated that this production doesn’t feel monochromatic…

That Act 1 finale was also when I became deeply aware of Marcella Barbeau’s lighting…this cracking open, “My God, it’s a sunrise,” – with a painterly effect that enhances the terrific set that casts a sheen both opulent and slightly surreal on the proceedings…Austin Blake Conlee’s costumes, Candace Leyland’s wigs, and Lonelle Yoder’s props all juice those simultaneous impressions. The interplay between light and set is so beautifully nuanced here, it’s almost another character; it’s utterly vital to the world Summer lets us into.

I’m a big booster of the avant-garde, I love chamber music, but this reminded me of the power of doing this kind of opera with a larger orchestra and the kind of details the right conductor/director can bring to even the back row. It’s a gorgeous version of one of the most beloved operas of all time. Opera Columbus, with CAPA and the CSO, has ended their season with a reminder of what’s special about this piece, this company, and this art form.”
Richard Sanford, Columbus Underground