International opera performers, world renowned directors, and emerging opera artists will all come together this June in the Green Mountains of Vermont for the 2008 Green Mountain Opera Festival.   This three week operatic Vermont sojourn is now in its third year under internationally acclaimed artistic director and bass, Taras Kulish .   The Green Mountain Opera Festival begins on June 1 st and explores the art and beauty of opera with concerts, open air events, free open rehearsals, and free master classes throughout the Mad River Valley culminating with two fully staged and costumed performances of Giuseppe Verdi’s La Traviata , accompanied by the Green Mountain Opera Orchestra at the beautifully restored Barre Opera House. La Traviata performances at the Barre Opera House will be Friday, June 20 th at 7:30 pm and Sunday, June 22 nd at 3:00 pm.   La Traviata literally means “the woman who strayed” and is a tragic love story where r ich boy, Alfredo – sung by nationally acclaimed tenor, Derek Taylor , falls for Violetta, a high-class courtesan – sung by internationally renowned soprano, Aline Kutan .   Alfredo's father, Germont – sung by long-standing international career baritone, Theodore Baerg , doesn't approve of his son’s relationship with Violetta and persuades her to abandon him because her scandalous past threatens his son’s future.   She leaves Alfredo and goes back to her old life, but falls mortally ill.   Germont relents and allows Alfredo and Violetta a touching deathbed reunion. The young artists accepted into the Emerging Artist Program will sing supporting and ensemble roles.   The Emerging Artist Program is a residence program for auditioned young opera singers taking place during the course of the Green Mountain Opera Festival.   These opera stars of tomorrow will also perform the Emerging Artists Showcase on June 13 th at the Josyln Round Barn in Waitsfield. Several other events are scheduled throughout the Green Mountain Opera Festival and more will be announced as the festival nears.   Opera enthusiasts are invited to join the Emerging Artists at a series of free master classes taught by legendary soprano, Phyllis Curtin , bass-baritone, Sanford Sylvan , festival conductor, Francis Graffeo , and festival stage director, Ron Luchsinger .   Free rehearsals of La Traviata will be open to the public throughout the festival.   On June 6 th , the La Traviata cast will perform opera favorites at the festival’s opening concert at the Joslyn Round Barn and on June 11 th , they will perform Broadway tunes at a picnic at the Lareau Farm Inn.   Master classes and concerts will take place at the Joslyn Round Barn, the open rehearsals will take place at the Valley Players, the broadway picnic will take place at the Lareau Farm Inn, all located in Waitsfield , Vermont .   Dates and times will be posted at www.greenmountainoperafestival.com .