Opera is considered by some to be the ultimate art form. Perhaps it is the combination of art, music, theater, and dance, which can produce an intoxicating sensory overload. Maybe the magic is in the plots, which range from the magnificent to the mundane, and play with the gamut of human emotions, from the tragic to the hilarious and everything in between.

Rochester is fortunate to have an active opera scene, made possible by the many classical musicians who call this city home. Venues to experience live opera include Eastman Opera Theatre, Nazareth College's Opera Workshop, and Mercury Opera Rochester. Each of these organizations presents quality opera productions that range from college-level to professional. Additionally, as part of its International Opera Series, The Little Theatre screens operas from Italy and the major opera festivals (Salzburg, Glyndebourne) twice a month. It's a good time to be an opera fan in Rochester.

Mercury Opera's upcoming production of Verdi's "La Traviata" is a shining example of the kind of opera that is commonplace in Rochester. "La Traviata" in Italian is translated as "fallen woman," and the opera's plot revolves around the ill-fated romance between Violetta, a high-class courtesan, and Alfredo, a young nobleman. "It's a brilliant piece," says Benton Hess, artistic director of Mercury Opera and conductor of the upcoming production. "Verdi was at the peak of his powers. It's during his middle period, when he was shedding the old clich�s, the old formulas used by Rossini and Donizetti. He wrote using these formulas early in his career. When you get to ‘La Traviata,' though, you really have Verdi in all his glory - here you have a man who knows how to write absolutely beautiful music."

Mercury Opera Rochester is currently in its fifth season. Mercury's productions feature professional opera singers from around the country (and world), as well as local talent. "I'm really excited about this production coming up," says Hess. "We bring in the big stars and then we surround them with local singers - graduate students at Eastman, local teachers. Also in the pit is the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra. You put all that together and you end up with a pretty fine product."

The cast for "La Traviata" features three rising opera superstars. Making her debut with the company as Violetta is Olga Makarina, a regular performer at The Metropolitan Opera. The part of Violetta's lover, Alfredo, will be sung by Dinyar Vania, who makes his return to Mercury after premiering with the company as Cavaradossi in last year's production of Puccini's "Tosca." Rounding out the out-of-town cast is Scott Bearden, who will sing the role of Giorgio Germont, Alfredo's father. Bearden is the winner of a number of prestigious baritone competitions , and Benton Hess enthuses that he is "sort of the new kid on the block, but a REAL powerhouse."

The local singers who make up the rest of the cast are all extremely talented artists, and their performances should not be overlooked. "As professionals we come to the first rehearsal with our roles completely learned," says Robert Strauss, a Mercury Opera regular who will be singing the role of Gastone. "The chorus started rehearsing in November, once or twice a week. We started the new year with up to six hours of rehearsal a day, every day but Thursday." Other local singers in the cast include JJ Hudson (Baron Douphal), Michael Roddy (Marquis D'Obigny), Kimberly Upcraft-Russ (Annina), as well as local college students Nicholas Gerling (Giuseppe) and Zach Ligas (Flora's Servant).

The production also marks the first time that Mercury Opera will perform in the newly renovated Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre, which Hess is certain will only further improve the quality of the performances. "There is a much more brilliant, exciting sound in the theater," Hess says. "I was so excited when I saw the theater after they renovated it for the first time - it looks like it has always been that way."

With its talented cast and world-class venue, Mercury's "La Traviata" should be considered required viewing for any opera fan. "It has plenty of familiar music, all the passion and drama that make for great theater, lavish costumes and sets, a large chorus, and it affords the opportunity to get dressed up and have a glamorous night out," says Hess. "Do not miss this production!"

"La Traviata"

By Mercury Opera

Friday, January 15, 8 p.m.; Sunday, January 17, 2 p.m.

Eastman Theatre at Kodak Hall, 60 Gibbs St.

$10-$85 | 454-2100, mercuryoperarochester.org