Bringing Verdi’s La traviata to life at Opera Delaware

Seasons and stars

Traviata tells the story of the courtesan Violetta, who falls in love with the romantic and affluent Alfredo. Naturally, social expectations threaten to tear the two apart.

In this La traviata, a co-production between Opera Delaware and Opera Baltimore directed by Kaley Karis Smith, the set reflects developments onstage as well as the seasons. Act I opens in an outdoor garden party appropriate for the blossoming of a new relationship. By Act III, the set has adopted a wintery tone, with Violetta unwell and alone.

Ridenour, a New York-based scenic designer and artist, conceived the design. Conversations with Smith led Ridenour to find inspiration in astrology for the tragic drama, resulting in a design that plays with warm and cool blues as well as golden stars.

The main set is a unit; three static walls feature hidden hinges or open spaces for dynamic elements. Lighting design, costumes, and props work in conversation with it. In one scene, open windows suggest a provincial summer. In another, golden mirrors fill the frames and chandeliers fly in from above.

Being an illusionist

While the production will appear at Delaware’s historic Grand Opera House, the theater is without a dedicated scenic shop downtown. That’s how Ridenour, scenic painter Erica Harney, and carpenter Bob Parker found themselves creating 1880s Paris in suburban North Wilmington.

“It's about craftiness, skill, innovation, and problem-solving,” Ridenour said. “And being an illusionist.”

The three creators have worked together for several years and have a comfortable camaraderie. Parker is the veteran of the group; he started working with Opera Delaware in 1989 as a set builder. When a lumber shortage slowed Parker’s progress on the La traviata build, his thoughts went to Harney, who needed something to paint.

“I view myself as the funnel, all of the scenery has to come through me,” said Harney, who will also make final touch-ups to the set once onstage.

Built for a moment

The three experimented with materials to complete the vision for La traviata. Plaster ornamentation is made of silk flowers dipped in glue, primer, and paint. Plastic sheeting set in a wood frame becomes a magnificent mirror. A decorative wall molding is a flexible plastic resin.

“From a distance and under stage lights, nothing looks like it actually is,” Parker said.

When the job is done, the set is loaded for two performances in Baltimore, before returning to Wilmington. Later, it will travel to North Carolina as a rental for another production. Then, to storage until it can be used or rented again.

Meanwhile, the scenic creators look ahead to the next job or art project—or the next project at home.

“It's the busman's holiday type thing,” said Parker. “When the guy who drives the bus goes on vacation, he takes a bus tour. I'm supposed to go home and do repairs.”