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The July meeting of the Four Seasons Opera Club will take place Saturday, July 13 at 10 am in the RCN. We will stream Verdi's most popular opera, La Traviata. The recording we will present is from the 2006 season at LA Opera and features Renée Fleming as Violetta Valéry, Rolando Villazon as Alfredo Germont, and Renato Bruson as Giorgio Germont. This is a "modern" staging often referred to as the clock staging. Despite the froth and frivolity of the brindisi scene, Traviata is in fact a tragedy that reaches into the depths of despair and to the heights of divine love and forgiveness. Violetta's opening party scene is her celebration of a return to better health. Though Violetta is a beautiful, successful courtesan, she is also dying from consumption (tuberculosis). The young poet, Alfredo, whose overwhelming declaration of unconditional love wins Violetta over, and retreats with her to the Parisian country side. As in ancient Greek theater, a critical development takes place off stage. Between Acts I and II Violetta renounces her past life and receives God's absolution. This is similar to Thais' conversion during the Meditation. Meanwhile, Alfredo's younger sister has received a marriage proposal and the groom-to-be has learned of Alfredo's non-socially- correct romance and informs the father, Giorgio, that the marriage proposal will be withdrawn to avoid scandal. Giorgio visits the country love next to request that Violetta abandon Alfredo to enable the marriage. She was expecting the blow and agrees to the sacrifice. She knows her poor health has numbered her days and whereas she wanted to spend them basking in Alfredo's love, she counts herself lucky to have even known such love, and that her sacrifice is minor compared to that of He who absolved her sins. Giorgio gives a parting embrace, declares his admiration of her noble grace, and promises to honor her sacrifice. The final scene takes place in her rented room where she graciously receives her doctor and the Germont men. She gives Alfredo a cameo portrait of herself as a gift to an as yet future fiancée as a promise that she, Violetta, will pray for them both from heaven. Giorgio bears witness yet again to Violetta's nobility of spirit and castigates himself for the harm he has caused. After a final burst of energy, Violetta exclaims "Goia!" as she collapses into her death. ~ Harvey Toyama, yukito@yukito.net, (951) 524-3765 42 FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | JULY 2024 Opera Club Four Seasons Singers We will be back! Four Seasons Singers are starting rehearsals again soon. Stay tuned to the Breeze for more information. If you're on my email list you'll get reminders via email. If you'd like to join the Singers, want your name to be on my email list, or if you have questions about the Four Seasons Singers, call (951) 797-3466 or email me at bawasco@dc.rr. com. ~ Barbara Wasco Handbell Choir At the time that I am writing this, we just had our last practice before our concert. What a fun one it was. We played many of the songs that we grew up with. Thanks to all of the bell ringers, (especially Kevin who directed us), and the many substitutes (we can always use more) who filled in while we were traveling or sick. Also thanks to all those who came and those who donated. If you missed this Americana & Folk Tunes concert, keep watching the Activity Blast. A video is to be posted. The Christmas concert is scheduled for Dec. 12 at 6 p.m. Hope to see you then. For more information, contact me (Kathie Sundstrom) at (303) 903-6850 or kathryn.buck@comcast.net. ~ Kathie Sundstrom Classical Music Club We are classical music lovers with an interest in sharing our love of, knowledge about, and interest in classical music. We meet on the second Thursday of each month at 7 pm in The Lodge Theater. We listen to and watch musical selections on the big screen. Each month we focus on a particular work or several selections of one composer. We also discuss current musical performances in the area. We welcome new members. Contact Steve Benoff at steve. benoff@verizon.net or (310) 413-4896. ~ Steve Benoff Anna Netrebko as Violetta