Verdi's La Traviata, Wednesday at 8 p.m.

Classical MPR will be airing La Traviata on Wednesday at 8 p.m. Enjoy this feature and don't forget to tune in!

St. Paul, Minn. — Though she sings in the world's big opera houses, soprano Elizabeth Futral's career has one thing in common with Minnesota: all the women are strong. Futral's portrayal of Violetta in Verdi's La Traviata combines real passion and dedication with a powerful lyricism. And she draws strength from her teacher, Virginia Zeani, who was one of the most famous of Violettas.

Elizabeth Futral (rhymes with "neutral") visited with John Birge in the Classical MPR studio to sing highlights from Minnesota Opera production of La Traviata, and talk about the strong women in her life on- and off-stage, including a new role in this summer's Spoleto Festival in Kaija Saariaho's one-woman opera Emilie.