Welcome to Mogens operasite!

|Startsida | Singers | Creators | Synopsis | Operahouses | My operaworld | My blog - Operalogg | Searchbox |

La traviata

Composer and librettist

Music: Giuseppe Verdi.Lyrics: Francesco Maria Piave after Alexandre Dumas novel Kameliadamen

Libretto

To be able to read the libretto you have to start an account and register at Karadar.Free the first month

Première

First performance at the Teatro La Fenice in Venice on the 6 of March 1853.

ACT ONE A salon in Violetta Valéry´s home.

There is a great gathering in the home of the beautiful courtesan Violetta Valéry, whi is kept in luxury by her lover Baron Douphol. Count Gaston de Létorières arrives and introduces his friend, Alfredo germont, who according to Count Gaston is an admirer of Violetta,and who has been asking about her health every day during her recent illness. The conversation annoys Baron Douphol, who did not show Violetta anything lika as much interest during the period, and he refuses to propose a toast at the request of the Count. Instead Alfredo proposes the toast, paying tribute to the enjoyment of beaty and the intoxicating power of love. As the company moves into the adjacent salons to dance, Violetta feels faint. Alfredo remains behind and confesses that he has loved her for along time. Violetta rejects his love, but offers him friendship. The party ends.

Violetta feels deeply touched by Alfredo´s declaration of love and begins to doubt whether she should follow her heart. She dismisses the thought and chooses to plunge into the wild whirl of enjoyments and pleasures in Paris.

ACT TWO Violetta´s country house outside Paris

Love has conquered. Alfredo and Violetta now live in rural surroundings outside Paris. Annina, Violetta´s maid and confidante, tells Alfredo that she has just sold all Violetta´s property in Paris to pay her debts. Alfredo now realizes to his shame what sacrifies Violetta has made to live with him, and immediately leaves for Paris to raise money to keep up their lifestyle. Meanwhile Violetta receives an invitation to a gathering at the home of her friend Flora; but she has little heart for it. Unexpectedly, she receives a visit from Alfredo´s father, Giorgio Germont, who fears that Alfredo is ruining himself for her sake. But Violetta can prove that the financial truth is quite the opposite. Germont now asks Violetta to break off her relationship with Alfredo, since their liaison is jeopardizing Alfredo´s sister´s upcoming marriage. This young, pure girl´s marriage is more important than the affair between Violetta and Alfredo, which will cease anyway when Violetta´s beaty falls victim to age, and boredom sets in. Violettta is persuaded to give up Alfredo and not to tell him about their conversation. Violetta is writing a letter of farewell to Alfredo when he returns home. Om the pretext that she wants to leave father and son alone together, she goes off to Paris. A messenger brings Alfredo her letter of farewell. Alfredo is overcome by grief and rage over Violetta´s rejection and refuses his father´s plea that he return to his family. He finds Flora´s invitation and goes thera, aflame with the lust for vengeance.

ACT THREE Flora Bervoix´salon

The same evening Alfredo arrives just as the guests have sat down at the gambling tables.Violetta comes in accompanied by Baron Douphol. Alfredo feels lucky, for, as he explains, he who is unlucky in love has luck with the cards. The Baron flies into a rage over Alfredo´s impertinence and challenges him to a game which Alfredo wins. When the company goes to dinner, Violetta remains, behind to persuade Alfredo to leave the gathering to avoid a duel. Violetta is bound by jer vow silence to Germont, and declares that she loves the Baron. Foaming with jealousy, Alfredo calls the guests into the room and throws all the money he has won at Violetta´s feet. He has paid her for her support. Germont arrives and joins in the company´s reproaches of his bad, mean behaviour. Alfredo sees that his feelings have run away with him. He is broken-hearted, but the Baron demands a duel.

ACT FOUR Violetta´s bedroom

Violetta lies in her room, fatally ill and ruined. Doctor Grenvil tells Annina that it is now only a matter of hours. The street festivities of the Carnival can be heard through the window, and Violetta tells Annina to give the last of her money to the poor. She re-reads a letter from Germont: Alfredo has wounded the Baron in the duel and has gone abroad. Germont himself has told Alfredo about Violetta´s sacrifies, and he wants to hurry back to ask her forgiveness. Violetta is afraid he will come to late. She is on the point of resigning herself to a bitter and lonely death when Alfredo enters. Germont too begs forgiveness and wants to receive Violetta as his daughter, but realizes that it is too late. Violetta forgives them all. For a brief moment she feels the power of life return, but then falls dead.

HERE YOU CAN BY CD: AND DVD:s TO REASONABLE PRICES Shop at Amazon