Yes, this is a few weeks late, but I must say this anyway because I have let this blog just sit forever and three days. I won't do a usual review, but say whether or not the production works.
The Met's new production of La Traviata uses the Four Seasons set up to tell the story. Act 1 takes place in spring, Act 2 in summer, Act 3 in autumn, and Act 4 in winter. Using musical cues in the prelude, Micheal Meyers decided to start with Violetta's death bed and have the action be a whirl of memories flashing before her very eyes.
Does this work? Yes, it does. It has a slightly surreal quality to it. There is a moment at the beginning of Act 4 when Alfredo's sister walks across the stage clad as a happy bride. That little bit of action feels like a flash in Violetta's mind. And it gives the feeling that this takes place over quite a long period of time.
The ballet sequence on Act 3 was the biggest highlight of the production. The pary Violetta's friend Flora throws has a Spanish theme to it, and the ballet outfits have a Day of the Dead vibe to them. Granted there needed to be a bit more Torero with the second half of it, but it's still awesome.
So yes, it works.
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