La Traviata, Quarantined

Need to Know

La Traviata premiered in 1853, but is still one of the most popular operas in the world. Verdi’s master piece consistently ranks as the number 1 opera performed, check out the other operas to make the top ten list from Opera Sense.

The libretto of the opera was written by Francesco Maria Piave and is based on Alexandre Dumas fils’s novel La Dame aux camélias. Both Verdi and Piave wanted to set La Traviata in their present time, but the Venice Theatre insisted on it being set in the 18th century and it wasn’t until the 1880s that the composers/librettist’s wishes were staged.

La Traviata is one of the greatest operas of all time, but it was jeered at its premiere. Much of the opera’s scorn came from casting, while a great singer, audiences considered Fanny Salvini-Donatelli to old (38 years) and overweight to play the young courtesan dying of consumption. Lack luster performances from both leading men added to the troubled opening night and in a letter to Emanuele Muzio, Verdi writes, “La Traviata last night a failure. Was the fault mine or the singers? Time will tell.”

Discover more about La Traviata from English National Opera’s pages: "Introduction to La Traviata" and “La Traviata: The Fallen Woman”

Read more about Verdi and his operas from Florentine’s Quarantine pages Rigoletto and Macbeth

The Fallen Woman

The title La Traviata translates to “The Fallen Woman” and is referencing the main character Violetta Valéry who is a courtesan. This 19th century term refer to a women that has “lost her innocences” and has fallen from the grace of God. While societally, this term was to condone female promiscuity, in Verdi’s opera, as well as other literary works of the time, he elevates her as the heroine. Violetta is the selfless character that gives up everything, multiple times, for her lover Alfredo. Check out this exhibit from the Foundling Museum of London about “The Fallen Women” of the Victorian period.

Consumed by Love!

Tuberculosis has been around since the ancient past, but became its own pandemic in the 19th and 20th century. From Philippa Ogden’s article Romanticizing Death: Art in the Age of Tuberculosis “…by the 19th century it was frequently perceived and represented in a romantic way. This led to it becoming somewhat of a ‘fashionable’ disease.”

The disease often afflicted young adults (15-34 years old), many of whom were scholarly or artistic. “This created what historian Katherine Byrne argues was a ‘too good to live’ cultural stereotype.’”

A Toast!

La Traviata has one of opera’s greatest toasts and most recognized duets, “Brindisi” (Libiamo ne’ lieti calici). To honor Verdi’s great duet our pre-opera cocktail is a Champagne Cocktail. Watch John build it here.

Ingredients: 1 sugar cube, 2 dashes Angostura Bitters, Champagne (or other sparkling wine), Lemon Twist for garnish. Directions: Place sugar cube on bar spoon or small plate and douse with bitters. Drop the cub into a champagne flute and fill with champagne, garnish with a a lemon twist. Enjoy!

Synopsis

Quick overview

In Paris, Courtesan Violetta Valéry throws a party to celebrate recovering from an illness, (turberculosis) and there she meets Alfredo Germont and falls in love. She leaves her life to be with him in his country estate, but after Alfredo’s father asks her to break off their relationship for the sake of their family’s reputation, she selflessly returns to Paris. Alfredo follows her to Paris and at a party he wins money gambling and in a dramatic scene he throws the money at her saying his debt to her is paid in full, humiliated, Violetta still tells Alfredo she loves him. A few months pass and Violetta is becoming more ill, Alfredo returns after learning all she sacrificed at his father’s request, but it is too late and Violetta dies in his arms.

Full Plot

Read the full plot from the Met.

Stream the Opera

Here is a 2006 LA Opera production starring Renée Fleming and Rolando Villazón

Here is a 2005 Salzburg Festival production starring Anna Netrebko, Rolando Villazón, and Thomas Hampson.

Here is a 1967 Rome Opera movie production starring Anna Moffo, Gino Bechi, and Franco Bonisolli

Here is a rare 1914 recording from La Scala

Additional Listening

Arias

Duets

Violetta, Alfredo, and ensemble (Act I): Brindisi

Violetta and Alfredo (Act I): Un di felice, eterea

Violetta and Germont (Act II): Madamigella Valery?

Violetta and Alfredo (Act III): Parigi, o cara

Violetta and Alfredo (Act III): Ah, non più… Ah, gran dio! Morir sì giovine

Ensembles

Act II Chorus: Noi siamo zingarelle

Act II Chorus: Finale

Act II Offstage Chorus: Largo al quadrupede

Guest UserMay 11, 2021