A Family Affair, 93 Seasons in the Making
The Florentine Opera Opens with La Traviata
MILWAUKEE, WI — The Florentine Opera opens its 93rd season and its 2026/27 A Family Affair season with La Traviata by Verdi—the very first production presented by the company. Performances take place Friday, October 16, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, October 18, 2026, at 2:30 p.m. in Uihlein Hall at the Marcus Performing Arts Center.
In La Traviata, glamorous Parisian courtesan Violetta Valéry falls in love with Alfredo, leaving her life of parties behind for a chance at something real. But family expectations and social pressure force Violetta to make a devastating sacrifice.
“La Traviata is a story about the families we are born into, the families we choose, and the sacrifices we make for the people we love,” said Maggey Oplinger, General Director and CEO of The Florentine Opera. “As we begin our A Family Affair season, this production invites audiences into one of opera’s most heartfelt and recognizable stories, brought to life by an extraordinary team of artists making their Florentine debuts. We talk often about the Pretty Woman opera experience that so many seek out – this is literally it! Enjoy it like Julia Roberts.”
The production welcomes four artists to the Florentine Opera stage for the first time, including:
- Conductor Kensho Watanabe
- Stage Director Katherine M. Carter
- Soprano Amanda Woodbury as Violetta
- Tenor Dominick Valdés Chenes as Alfredo
Critically acclaimed for his “midas touch” (OperaWire), conductor Kensho Watanabe has built an international career spanning North America, Europe, and Asia. A graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music and former violinist with The Philadelphia Orchestra, Watanabe has appeared with the Metropolitan Opera, Detroit Opera, Houston Grand Opera, and leading orchestras around the world. La Traviata marks both his Florentine Opera debut and a collaboration with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra.
Stage director Katherine M. Carter is recognized for productions that are both emotionally vivid and visually striking, with work seen at companies including Wolf Trap Opera, San Francisco Opera, the Canadian Opera Company, and Sarasota Opera. A passionate advocate for emerging artists and new work, Carter also serves as an Intimacy Director for the Metropolitan Opera and is known for creating rehearsal rooms grounded in collaboration and consent.
Returning to one of her signature roles, soprano Amanda Woodbury stars as Violetta. Praised by the San Francisco Chronicle for a voice that is “bright, beautifully colored, and full of strength and passion,” Woodbury has appeared regularly at the Metropolitan Opera, Los Angeles Opera, and companies across North America. A Grand Finals winner of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions and prizewinner at Operalia, she has earned acclaim for performances ranging from Mozart and Verdi to French grand opera.
Tenor Dominick Valdés Chenes makes his Florentine debut as Alfredo. Described by the Huffington Post as a “breakout star” and “powerhouse lyric tenor,” Chenes has performed with the Metropolitan Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Seattle Opera, and companies throughout Europe and North America. His repertoire includes many of opera’s great romantic heroes, from Rodolfo in La bohème to Cavaradossi in Tosca and Don José in Carmen.
Tickets for La Traviata are available at florentineopera.org or by calling the Florentine Opera Box Office at 414-291-5700.
About The Florentine Opera Company
We’ve been bringing a little bit of the world to Milwaukee since 1933. We’re on a journey of discovery, exploring the glory of the human voice. We’re a powerhouse for all different voices and stories, which have endured through the centuries and resonate with our humanity and passion. We’re a live, supersized experience, created in-the-moment through theater, staging, lighting, lavish costumes, and beautiful song, bringing you the most immersive and all-encompassing artistic experience possible. Join us for a live performance that will sweep you off your feet.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
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