RiverDogs to host the opera ‘La traviata’ at The Joe

 

We almost didn’t go to see the opera in a driveway. That would have been a mistake. 

 

Mark and I are not experienced opera goers but we were craving live music. At the suburban house, folks sat on beach chairs sipping wine. A pickup truck with a piano in the back and a monitor hanging from the window was the stage. 

 

Soon a pianist climbed aboard, the monitor sprang to life with subtitles and an array of singers entertained us with operatic arias and show tunes. We were entranced, charmed and delighted.  

 

Charleston’s new Holy City Arts and Lyric Opera Company (HALO) had pivoted like many arts organizations and created this way to bring over 100 concerts to the Lowcountry under the pandemic’s challenging circumstances.  

 

Now, for their inaugural stage production, HALO is bringing “La traviata” to another unconventional venue: Joseph P. Riley Jr., Park (The Joe).

 

Founders Leah Edwards and Dimitri PIttas, whose musical careers have taken them all over the world, came here with a passion to reclaim Charleston’s legacy as the birthplace of opera in North America. By staging large and small productions, especially outdoors, they hope to attract new audiences. 

 

“The RiverDogs are excited to partner with HALO and bring opera to The Joe this October,” said Dave Echols, president of the Charleston RiverDogs. “This should be a great event for the city of Charleston and we are thrilled to be a part of La traviata.”

 

“Opera is the opposite of an elitist art form. It tells real, human stories that we can all relate to,” Edwards said. 

 

The 90-minute drama tells the story of doomed love but is presented with a nod to the 1980s complete with vintage cars, a fireworks display, and a chamber orchestra. Despite the stellar caliber of performers, patrons are encouraged to dress as they’d like: jeans to tuxedos. Food concessions will have a creative menu of classic ballpark snacks with an operatic twist to enjoy during the show. 

 

“La traviata” will be performed in Italian with English supertitles. 

 

Performances are Oct. 22, 26, and 28. Rain date is set for Oct. 29. Gates open at 5:30 p.m., the show begins at 7 p.m. Tickets: $36 — General Admission, $76 — Reserved Seating. Parking passes can be purchased in advance or upon arrival: $5 — General, $10 — VIP. 

 

For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit: holycityarts.org/performances/la-traviata/.