Toledo Opera is set to host “Sempre Libera: Finding Freedom and Feminism in ‘La Traviata’” on April 12, 2022.

The panel discussion will be moderated by Dr. Angela Fitzpatrick, director of the Catherine S. Eberly Center for Women at The University of Toledo, with such panelists as Dr. Naomi André – Professor in the Department of Afroamerican and African Studies, Women’s and Gender Studies, and the Residential College, University of Michigan; Dr. Jennifer Cresswell – soprano, librettist, and author; and Sara Jobin – opera conductor.

“The love between Violetta and Alfredo feels so pure, yet their relationship is threatened by the rules of society and their own mortality. In a similar way, the pandemic has shaken up our notions of intimacy and held us back from feeling safe expressing love,” said Dr. Naomi André in an official press statement.

The company is set to present Verdi’s masterwork on April 22 and 24, 2022 with Kathryn Lewek taking on the role of Violetta.