La traviata

Music by Giuseppe Verdi
Libretto by Francesco Maria Piave

Based on the play La Dame aux camélias by Alexandre Dumas fils.
Premiered March 6, 1853 at the Teatro La Fenice, Venice

There will be one 20 minute intermission

Friday, March 7, 7:30-10:00 pm
Sunday, March 9, 2:30-5:00 pm

English supertitles by Andy Anderson
Spanish supertitles by Cecilia Violetta López

Chris Pedersen, Master Carpenter

Nick Robers, Jeff Mercer; Riggers

AmandaLynn Lovewell, Scenic Charge

Ciera Tucker, Scenic Artist

Jenna Adsitt, Whitney Uhlman, Shawna Gee; Stitchers

Alyx Vetter, Amanda Woods, Krista Sharp, Blayke Secord, Tawny Fox; Hair/Makeup Artists

Violetta Valéry, a renowned courtesan, faces a life-altering choice when she meets Alfredo Germont, who professes his love at a lively gathering. Intrigued by his sincerity, she considers a future filled with genuine affection, challenging her current lifestyle centered on independence.
 
 Choosing love over freedom, Violetta and Alfredo escape to the countryside, seeking solitude and joy away from societal judgments. Their bliss is short-lived, as Alfredo discovers that Violetta has been selling her possessions to fund their secluded lifestyle. He departs urgently for Paris to remedy their financial situation. In his absence, Alfredo’s father, Giorgio Germont, confronts Violetta, compelling her to end the relationship to save his daughter’s social standing and forthcoming marriage. Despite Germont’s initial misgivings about her, he comes to respect Violetta’s altruism but insists on the separation for his family’s sake.
 
 Devastated by the encounter, Violetta sacrifices her happiness for Alfredo’s future, reentering her former life and leaving him a farewell letter. The emotional turmoil peaks at a masquerade ball where a distraught Alfredo, upon his return, humiliates Violetta publicly. This act of despair sparks a confrontation and subsequent duel with Baron Douphol.
 
 Violetta’s health deteriorates rapidly, leaving her clinging to life. As she languishes, Alfredo learns of her selfless act and rushes to reconcile. They reunite briefly, their love rekindled as Violetta dreams of a life in Paris with Alfredo. This retelling of Verdi’s opera poignantly explores themes of love, sacrifice, and the harsh judgments of society.

La traviata, based on Alexandre Dumas fils’ novel La Dame aux camélias, premiered at Venice’s La Fenice opera house in 1853. The opera was inspired by the real-life Parisian courtesan Marie Duplessis, whose tragic story captured Dumas’ heart and subsequently the imagination of Giuseppe Verdi. Known for her beauty and wit, Duplessis led a lavish yet brief life, succumbing to tuberculosis at age 23, much like the heroine Violetta Valéry. Despite a shaky initial reception, today la traviata stands as one of the most beloved operas in the global repertoire, frequently performed across the world. This opera was groundbreaking for its time, portraying contemporary issues of class, morality, and personal sacrifice through the real-time life and tragic love story between Violetta and the young nobleman Alfredo Germont.

IN POPULAR CULTURE

La traviata has deeply permeated popular culture, thanks in part to its memorable music and the universal appeal of its story. The opera’s themes of love, sacrifice, and redemption resonate widely, making its narrative and music fitting for various modern adaptations and references. The opera features prominently in the 1990 movie Pretty Woman, paralleling the emotional journey of the film’s protagonist with that of Violetta. The film’s iconic opera scene introduces millions to Verdi’s masterpiece, highlighting its emotional depth and the transformative power of love, as the character Vivian experiences opera for the first time and is visibly moved by the story that so closely mirrors her own.

Similarly, the 2001 film Moulin Rouge!, while not a direct adaptation, mirrors La traviata in its portrayal of a doomed romance between a courtesan and a young writer, set against the backdrop of a vibrant but morally complex Parisian nightlife. The film captures the essence of the opera’s emotional depth and the tragic beauty of love that defies social constraints.

The “Brindisi” or toast aria from La traviata is particularly well-known, often featured in commercials and films to evoke a sense of celebration and high society. It’s been used in everything from luxury car advertisements to soundtracks for television shows, underscoring moments of joy and togetherness. The way La traviata and its music continue to inspire and influence a wide range of media illustrates its enduring relevance and the timeless nature of its themes.