Highmount, NY *Verdi’s tragic masterpiece “La Traviata,” springs to life at the Belleayre Music Festival on Saturday, July 23 at 8 p.m.

A company of 50, including opera singers from New York City and the Metropolitan Opera, accompanied by chamber musicians and a large chorale group, will perform this fully-staged production of Verdi’s tale of love, self-sacrifice and redemption.

“La Traviata” is one of the greatest operas of all times and Belleayre’s productions always feature some of the rising stars on the professional opera scene in elaborately staged performance with full instrumental and vocal accompaniment. The opera will be performed in Italian with simultaneous English translation by way of Supertitles.

Lead actors in “La Traviata” include Diana McVey as Violetta Valery, Mathew Edwardsen as Alfredo Germont and Stefanos Koroneos in the role of Giorgio Germont.

Donald Westwood, artistic director, producer and stage director of the Belleayre Festival Opera, returns for his 13th year, putting his unique interpretation on Verdi’s timeless classic. The Community Chorale of the Catskills, directed by Richard Tucker, will provide choral accompaniment.

During his impressive four-decade career, Mr. Westwood has consistently garnered rave reviews for applying a fresh perspective to the world’s greatest opera classics. His productions have been called “exemplary” by The New York Times and “very special” by The New York Post. Opera News magazine, cited Mr. Westwood’s productions as being “a dynamic alternative to the giants at Lincoln Center.”

Belleayre’s opera performances have become established as an annual festival highlight. Opera buffs and newcomers alike will find this performance a memorable night of music theater. There will be a pre-opera discussion with the director at 7:30 p.m.

Donald Westwood has capitalized, produced, directed, marketed and managed more than 200 productions in the fields of musical theatre, opera, operetta, concerts, special events, and programs for young audiences and senior citizens. Mr. Westwood was recently appointed executive vice president and creative director of American International Music Management. He is a cum laude graduate of Pace University in New York City, and has been the University’s Alumnus of the Year.

More Belleayre shows
– Friday, July 29: Belleayre Jazz Club * KJ Denhert offering Urban Folk & Jazz
– Saturday, July 30: Belleayre Jazz Club * Global Noize playing Jazz, World Music& Electronica
– Friday, Aug. 5 at 8 p.m.: Belleayre Jazz Club * Young Lion of the Saxophone
Ravi Coltrane Quartet
– Saturday, Aug. 6 at 8 p.m.: The Music of Miles Davis – Celebrating 50 Years of ‘Kind of Blue’ with Jimmy Cobb’s “So What Band” featuring: Larry Willis, Buster Williams,
Javon Jackson, Vince Herring & Eddie Henderson
– Saturday, Aug. 13 at 8 p.m.: Country Music Superstar Clint Black
– Saturday, Aug. 20 at 8 p.m.: Five-Time Grammy Winner Mary Chapin Carpenter
– Saturday, Aug. 27 at 8 p.m. An Evening of Breakout Stars – The Punch Brothers
with special guest Jessica Lea Mayfield
Saturday, Sept. 3 at 8 p.m.: Genre-busting banjo sensation Bela Fleck & The Flecktones * Original Lineup

Tickets & contact
All shows begin at 8 p.m. For tickets or additional information, please call 800 942-6904 , ext. 1344 or visit: www.belleayremusic.org or e-mail: [email]festival@catskill.net[/email].
For information on where to stay, dine, shop or to simply enjoy the great outdoors when you’re in town for the Belleayre Music Festival, please visit: www.catskillhighpeaks.com , www.ulstertourism.info or www.greatwesterncatskills.com.

Media sponsors for the 2011 season include: WDST Radio, WKZE Radio and Albany.com
Belleayre Music Festival concerts are held on the grounds of Belleayre Mountain in Highmount.
Belleayre Mountain is located in the heart of New York’s Catskill Mountain region. The area is located just off Route 28 and is 37 miles west of Thruway Exit 19 at Kingston; 55 miles southeast of Oneonta on Route 28; 40 miles from the Route 17 exit at Roscoe; and 95 miles southwest of Albany and just two hours north of NYC.