Operatic Inspiration
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German director Henning Brockhaus's lavish production of La Traviata for the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) earned critical acclaim last June for its poetic telling of the romantic yet tragic story, dazzling stage design, and flawless conducting by maestro Lorin Maaze.
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Performers on stage in La Traviata's debut last June. [Global Times] |
Just eight months after its debut, the beloved work by Giuseppe Verdi is returning to the stage again, with Inva Mula, one of the world's most lauded sopranos, cast in the role of Paris courtesan Violetta.
To be staged from Sunday until Thursday, the second run of the NCPA's self-produced opus features an international line up. Renowned Chinese conductor Chen Zuohuang will be taking up the baton, Italian lyric tenor Leonardo Caimi will play the lovelorn Alfredo, with Spain's world famous baritone Juan Pons taking the role of his father. The production also features a set of Chinese opera singers in lead roles for three of the five performances.
"La Traviata means a lot to me. It is the source of my inspiration," said Mula, who got herself a position at an opera house in her home country of Albania after graduating from music academy. She has since played the "Lady of the Camellias" around the world. Making good use of her flexible and extensive voice, she has also performed in duet with Placido Domingo and Leo Nucci.
Based on the famous novel The Lady of the Camellias by Alexandre Dumas, La Traviata - literally "the Fallen Woman" - tells of the unconditional love of a Paris courtesan (Violetta) for her devoted lover Alfredo. At his father's behest Violetta is forced to break up with Alfredo to preserve the reputation of his family.
Among the many characters Mula has played during her 30-year musical career, Violetta remains her favorite. "Violetta is a very strong character and that power is shown in the vicissitudes of her fate," she said.
La Traviata is often considered to be the most difficult opera for a soprano due to the three different vocal types for the three acts, and the emotional variety required in the lead role is not easy to portray.
Mula explains that the three vocal types for Violetta showcase the diverse facets of her personality. In the first act, when she is surrounded by admirers and falls in love with Alfredo, she sings coloratura. In the second act, she sings lyric, her mood changed after the sacrifice she makes for her relationship. Her inner strength shines in the last act, utilizing dramatic soprano.
"You can not dramatize your voice. The conflict in the opera does not come from the density and intensity of your voice; instead you should dramatize the characters," the 48-year-old soprano said.
"Among all the opera roles I have performed in, Violetta has the biggest emotional change and that is the reason I love the character," she added.
Although Mula has performed different renditions, ranging from classic settings of luxurious 19th century Paris to present day society with short hairstyles and fashionable costumes, she always welcomes a new challenge. "I have never been afraid of new productions. Instead I am full of curiosity and passion for exploration."
Besides the reputation she enjoys in the opera world, Mula is best-known to filmgoers as the voice behind the blue alien diva in The Fifth Element. Although she is a little disappointed that her achievements in opera are overshadowed by the popularity of the song in the movie, she is happy to see that people love her voice and go to see her perform in opera houses afterwards.
"Operas are still a bit high brow for the average person. But if an audience goes to an opera once I am sure it won't be the last time. They will be captivated and take a liking to it. "
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