News and Reviews from La Traviata Weekend

What a weekend!

First, we announced our new general director, Kathryn Smith:

• 77 Square – “Opera Chooses New General Director”
• The Business Journal – “Madison Opera Hires New General Director”
• Broadway World – “Madison Opera Names Kathryn Smith As Its General Director”

Then, we put on Verdi’s La Traviata:

• 77 Square – “Madison Opera’s painterly ‘Traviata’ sings an old story”
• The Isthmus – “Madison Opera’s La Traviata is sterling, heart-wrenching” 
• Local Sounds Magazine – “La Traviata Gets Big City Treatment from Madison Opera”
• Channel3000.com – “Soprano Shines in Madison Opera Production”
• Brava Magazine: Culturosity – “The Soprano Always Dies”

And lastly, our 50th anniversary gala on Saturday night was a huge success. The evening opened with the Art of Opera Glasses Auction and music by Anthony and Leslie Cao. Dinner was accompanied by a tribute to Madison Opera’s past, present, and future, with a very special appearance by founder Roland Johnson, as well as performances by the former Madison Opera Showcase Singers, the MO High School Apprentices, and the MO Chorus with Donnie Ray Albert. The evening concluded in spectacular fashion on the Overture Hall stage, with desserts and entertainment by the inimitable Robin Pluer: