The Washington National Opera naturally wants to increase the audience for opera in the nation's capital. To that end, its last couple seasons have featured a free simulcast of one of its productions via an immense screen on the National Mall. Large crowds have shown up, with better or worse results depending on the weather. This year, the company has just announced, it will slightly modify this program, by offering its free broadcast to crowds in Nationals Park, in imitation of a similar initiative at San Francisco Opera.

If you have always wanted to see an opera but found the price tag too daunting, mark your calendar for Opera in the Outfield, a week from Saturday, September 13 at 7 p.m. From your comfortable seat in the stands, you will see a live broadcast from the opening night of the company's new production of Verdi's classic opera, La Traviata. Let's just say that it cannot be more painful than watching the Nationals play. From now through September 10, you can also register for seating in the VIP section, although it is not required.

The story follows a celebrated Parisian courtesan, Violetta Valéry (sung by the lovely soprano Elizabeth Futral, pictured), who falls in love with a young poet named Alfredo Germont (tenor Arturo Chacón-Cruz). Their happiness is cut short by the opposition of Alfredo's father (baritone Lado Ataneli), hastening Violetta's inevitable death from consumption, that most operatic of diseases. It is a tragic, beautiful work, an excellent choice for an introduction to opera and a favorite of opera fans. Hopefully, there will be beer on sale, as opera drinking games could be a fun variation on the more placid experience of attending an opera. Every time someone hits a long high note, you take a drink?

Photo of Elizabeth Futral as Violetta by Joel Baldwin, courtesy of Washington National Opera