Dispatch December 11, 2018 03:03 pm
A Traviata from another time

by George Loomis

If you attended the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées’s new production of La traviata not knowing whatto expect and listened carefully to the divided solo violins at the start of the prelude, you would likely have noticed that this familiar music sounded different than usual. Part of the difference stemmed from an absence of vibrato, but the tones themselves were softer and mellower. 

Welcome to the era of Verdi on period instruments. The modern orchestra found its current form at the beginning of the twentieth century, by which time orchestral instruments had essentially evolved into their present state. This is why the period instrument movement, which got its start in the Baroque, has been able to look for repertoire in the nineteenth century. Early-nineteenth- century opera has been slow to benefit, but 2018 was a banner year: I saw operas by Rossini (in Salzburg, Austria, and Purchase, New York), Giovanni Simone Mayr (Purchase), Donizetti (Bergamo, Italy), and Saverio Mercadante (Innsbruck, Austria) performed on period instruments.

Now comes another, with Jérémie Rhorer leading his Cercle de l’Harmonie in a rare Verdi production using period instruments (seen on December 3). As significant as this achievement is, one shouldn’t get the impression that this Traviata will shock the listener. The opera’s premiere was in 1853, fairly far along in instrumental evolution. The tempos and expressive approach of Rhorer’s nuanced interpretation could hardly offend traditionalists, nor were vocal lines subjected to novel ornamentation. Still, there were striking differences in instrumental color. And the orchestra’s comparatively transparent sound made for a vocal–instrumental balance that seemed to reduce temptation by the singers to push the voice.

The two Violettas interact amicably during the course of the opera. In Act I, the double throws the real Violetta a flower to give to Alfredo. Violetta has obviously given a lot of thought to her disease and resolved not to let it impinge on her high spirits or lifestyle. Here, her aria “Sempre libera” is not only about freedom from societal and marital constraints, but also about the constraints of a fatal disease (as long as that is physically possible). The beds were removed for the final act, which gave the set the eerie serenity of a Salvador Dali painting.

As arresting as the staging is, it is the musical dimension one will remember most. Rhorer chose a lower pitch than usual, A=432 Hz, one that Verdi is thought to have favored. As with the period instruments, the object is to make the singers feel more comfortable. And the performance was virtually uncut; only the repeat of the baritone’s cabaletta was omitted. The important thing in this Traviatawas that Rhorer’s departures from custom were combined with splendid voices, a cogent staging, and a high level of musical execution that presented a familiar opera in an exciting and revelatory new way.

France Musique will broadcast La traviata on Sunday, December 16, at 8 p.m. cet.

George Loomis writes about classical music for MusicalAmerica.com, Opera magazine, and the Financial Times.