‘Traviata’: Effective, Minimalist

A fiasco at its premiere in Venice in 1853, Verdi’s “La Traviata” has nevertheless become virtually foolproof. Little wonder. Give us a reasonably sensitive Violetta and a reasonably sensitive conductor, and it doesn’t take much else for the drama of the good-hearted courtesan who sacrifices herself for love to break some hearts.

It didn’t get much else when the New York City Opera National Company, a bus-and-truck troupe from the home team, staged the work Wednesday at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts (through Sunday). It was the center’s first opera, incidentally, since it opened in 1993.

April-Joy Gutierrez sang Violetta with a small, cloudy soprano, without much tone at the lower end of the range but with adequate and bright coloratura on top.

She used it judiciously and effectively, however, especially in those moments when Violetta receives unmerited emotional shocks or when her health is giving out, as in “Addio, del passato” (cut, as usual, to one verse) in the final act.

Here, too, her acting became most rich and credible.

Her Alfredo was Rick Moon, whose worn tenor sounded curiously more bright and full in solos than in duets or ensembles and whose acting skills proved rudimentary. Wisely, he did not attempt the cabaletta in Act 2.

As Germont, Grant Youngblood acted with proper authority and sang “Di Provenza” with earnest and tremulous warmth.

Vocally and dramatically, the rest of the cast varied widely.

Derrick Inouye conducted the scrawny New York pit band with emphasis on propulsion. But he did know when to linger for pathos.

Paul L. King provided straightforward direction. Peter Dean Beck designed the serviceable set units; Joseph A. Citarella, the period costumes. The work was sung in Italian, with English supertitles.

* New York City Opera National Company presents Verdi’s “La Traviata” with differing casts at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, 12700 Center Court Drive, Cerritos. Today, 8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 2 and 8 p.m. $25-$58. (800) 300-4345 or (310) 916-8510.