La Traviata

Giuseppe Verdi

Saturday, April 7, 2018 at Seven O'Clock PM
Century II Concert Hall

overview
cast

Overview

The Story

“La Traviata” tells of a young courtesan who attracts an ardent young admirer. Under pressure from his family, she reluctantly agrees to sacrifice her happiness to save his reputation and pushes the young man away. Once he realizes what happened, he returns to her side with only enough time to say a heartbreaking farewell.

What People Are Saying

“full of the most gorgeous music and heartfelt melodies..”
“La Traviata’ is full of the most gorgeous music and heartfelt melodies, but there is a fanciful story behind what we see on the stage today; a story, sometimes forgot.” Parvan Bakardiev Artistic Director, Wichita Grand Opera

“bends his effortlessly fluid tenor into a powerful romantic chemistry with Violetta...”
“Cody Austin, as Alfredo, bends his effortlessly fluid tenor into a powerful romantic chemistry with Violetta in his Virginia operatic debut.” Lyric Opera of Virginia The Richmond Times

Its History

A poignant and heartfelt tale of love and loss, “La Traviata”, as we know it now thanks to Verdi’s masterful score, originated from the novel “La Dame aux Camelias,” written in 1848 by Alexandre Dumas, the son of the author of “The Three Musketeers.”

Dumas, after realizing the popularity and potential of his story, wrote a version with the same title for live theatre. Following the instant success of “La Dame aux Camelias” at the Theatre du Vaudeville in Paris, Verdi immediately set the story to music and the rest was operatic history. Even now, “La Dame aux Camelias,” or “Camille” as it is known in the English-speaking world, is still seen on stage, with 16 versions having been performed in Broadway theatres.

But it is Hollywood’s adaptation of “La Traviata,” best known as the blockbuster hit “Pretty Woman” starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere, that has had this beautiful story to everyday knowledge. Verdi’s masterful score can even be heard in the blockbuster, as Roberts’ and Gere’s characters attend opera performance of “La Traviata”.

Setting and Synopsis

Setting

Paris, 1850s

Synopsis

Act I:
Violetta’s Paris salon. Violetta Valéry welcomes guests to a party in her home, including a new admirer, Alfredo. As the guests begin to dance, Violetta feels unwell and goes to her parlor to recover. Alfredo comes in to check on her and confesses his love. After he leaves, Violetta wonders if Alfredo could be a man she could actually love. She decides she wants freedom more, though Alfredo’s voice, heard outside, argues in favor of romance.
Act II:
A country villa near Paris. Some months later Alfredo and Violetta are living together in a country house near Paris. When their maid, Annina, reveals that Violetta is pawning jewelry to pay for the house, Alfredo leaves for the city to settle matters at his own cost. Violetta returns, looking for him, but is interrupted by the arrival of Alfredo’s father. He demands she break off her affair with his son because their scandalous affair endangers his daughter’s engagement. Heartbroken, Violetta writes a farewell note to Alfredo, and accepts an invitation to her friend Flora’s party. She rushes out just as Alfredo returns. A servant delivers Violetta’s farewell note, but Alfredo, seeing the party invitation, jealously assumes Violetta has left him for another lover.
Act III:
A party in Flora’s mansion. Flora learns from the Marquis that Violetta and Alfredo have parted, then introduces the dancers she has hired as entertainment. Soon Alfredo arrives, in a terrible mood and gambling recklessly at cards. Violetta enters with Baron Douphol, who challenges Alfredo to a game and loses a small fortune to him. Alfredo suddenly denounces Violetta, hurling his winnings at her feet. His father and the other party guests are outraged by Alfredo’s behavior, and Douphol challenges him to a duel.
Act IV:
Violetta’s bedroom. Six months later, Dr. Grenvil tells Annina that Violetta has only a short time to live – tuberculosis has claimed her. While Paris celebrates Carnival outside, Alfredo returns unexpectedly; his father has finally revealed the truth. After a joyous reunion, the lovers ecstatically plan to leave Paris forever. Violetta rises from her bed, feeling a flush of strength return, only to collapse dead at her lover’s feet.