Review -- Traviata

Review: La Traviata

An aria to remember

Oh, why does opera have to be so tragic?

When Violetta collapses in her death scene in “La Traviata,'' she hits her loveliest note and then dies, but not of a broken heart. As an audience member, I was the one who was heart-broken. I will probably never again hear Christina Major's impressively pure soprano voice - at least not on a Billings stage.

The Texas native and her husband, Joseph Muir, who played her on-stage lover Alfredo, are on a fast-track in the opera world. After the show closed last Sunday, they planned to continue their move to New York City where they can be closer to the opera industry. I wish them luck because they are both talented, young and passionate about opera.

The poignant story follows the fate of the two lovers, pulled apart by Alfredo's father Giorgio Germont, played with such intensity by Powell, Wyo., music professor Jan Michael Kliewer. “Moulin Rouge'' is based on the story.

Fortunately for us, Kliewer will be back to perform again and again with the Rimrock Opera Company and we can continue to follow his progress. He debuted in the “Merry Widow'' and returned for roles in “Carmen'' and “Nosferatu.'' He blossomed in this latest role, partially because it had such a broad range of emotion. This was a prime role for a polished baritone like Kliewer and he carried it off with great style.

Bravo to Rimrock Opera Company's artistic director Douglas Nagel for his vision in finding talented local vocalists and impressive young vocalists on the national scene who are on their way up.