St. Louis Wing Week Returns April 8-15, 2024

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Kristin Hoebermann

Sydney Mancasola plays Violetta in Opera Theatre St. Louis' season-opening production of La traviata.

La traviata

When: Sat., May 19, 8 p.m., Fri., May 25, 8 p.m., Wed., May 30, 8 p.m., Sat., June 2, 1 p.m., Thu., June 7, 8 p.m., Sun., June 10, 7 p.m., Wed., June 20, 1 p.m. and Sat., June 23, 8 p.m. 2018

Late May in St. Louis means the return of Opera Theatre St. Louis, and here the company is, right on time with Giuseppe Verdi's wildly popular La traviata. It's the story of the queen of Paris courtesans, Violetta. She keeps things light, joyful and decidedly impersonal — "don't fall in love" is the rule she never flouts. But then she meets young idealist Alfredo at a party and contemplates breaking her own iron rule. To make matters worse, her nagging cough seems to be back, just as she believed she had beaten it. La traviata is performed at 8 p.m. Saturday, May 19, at the Loretto-Hilton Center (130 Edgar Road; www.experienceopera.org) and then seven more times in repertory through June 23. Tickets are $25 to $127.

— Paul Friswold