La Traviata
Plays to Packed House
In Columbia!

A packed house gave resounding approval to a world-class performance of Verdi’s La Traviata on March 3rd at the Koger Center in Columbia.  “After the curtain calls began the audience never sat down and the applause never stopped,” said Palmetto Opera Chair Kathy Newman.  “Opera lovers came from as far away as Hilton Head to experience this grand opera.  It brings Palmetto Opera one step closer to establishing a regular opera season.”

La Traviata was performed by the international cast of Teatro Lirico D’Euopa, a highly acclaimed international opera touring company.  Last spring Palmetto Opera presented Teatro’s production of Madama Butterfly, which also received rave reviews.

The two principal soloists, Russian soprano Olga Orlovskaya (Violetta) and Bulgarian tenor Orlin Goranov (Alfredo), generated enthusiastic applause throughout the performance.  Giorgio Lalov, Teatro’s founder and artistic director, described Olga as, “the perfect singer to perform Traviata.  She is the right person both vocally and physically to represent Violetta.”

Lalov, a tenor who debuted at La Scala at the age of 25, is passionate about opera and is dedicated to increasing appreciation for the 400-year-old art form.  “People call me the artistic director,” he said, “but I call myself the kitchen man.  I do everything: the stage direction, the sets, the costumes.  It is exhausting, and I love it.”

The Palmetto Opera’s mission is to bring opera to the capital city.  Lalov says the Board members are “very, very devoted people who want to have opera in Columbia.”  He told the audience, “I have given 5,000 performances since 1988, but these performances with The Palmetto Opera are very special to me.”

Teatro will return to Columbia on March 2, 2013 for another performance.

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Click here to learn more about Verdi’s La Traviata.