La Traviata

From the Royal Opera House, London
136 minutes and one intermission
Sung in Italian with English subtitles
Act I - 35 minutes
Act II, Scene 1 - 44 minutes
Act II, Scene 2 - 22 minutes
Act III - 35 minutes
Total running time: 136 minutes

Verdi’s tragic tale of courtesan Violetta Valery is brought to life on the stage of London’s Royal Opera House – and on a Laemmle movie screen near you. La Traviata (“The Fallen Woman”) stars beloved American soprano Renée Fleming in the title role, with tenor Joseph Calleja as her lover Alfredo and bass Thomas Hampson as Germont.

Date of Performance June 26, 2009
Music Giuseppe Verdi
Libretto Francesco Maria Piave, after Alexandre Dumas fils’s play La Dame aux camélias
Conductor Antonio Pappano
Director Richard Eyre
Designs Bob Crowley
Lighting design Jean Kalman
Director of movement Jane Gibson
Director for screen Rhodri Huw
Chorus Director Renato Balsadonna
Concert Master Vasko Vassilev Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Royal Opera Chorus

Violetta Valery Renée Fleming
Flora Monika-Evelin Liiv
Annina Sarah Pring

Alfredo Germont Joseph Calleja
Giorgio Germont Thomas Hampson
Gastone Haoyin Xue
Baron Douphol Eddie Wade
Marchese d’Obigny Kostas Smoriginas
Dottor Grenvil Richard Wiegold
Giuseppe Neil Gillespie
Messenger Charbel Mattar
Servant Jonathan Coad

Program note
La Traviata, one of the most popular operas in the canon, was written in record time: letters from 1853 indicate that Giuseppe Verdi completed it in well under two months. The opera is based on the play “La dame aux camellias” by Alexandre Dumas, fils. The title, which means “The fallen woman,” refers to the heroine, Violetta Valery, a courtesan in 19th century France. The role of Violetta is considered one of the most challenging (if not most feared!) in the soprano repertoire. The score requires a vast range of vocal pyrotechnics from the performer, and also sheer endurance – Violetta is onstage for nearly the entire opera. This production stars the celebrated American soprano Renée Fleming, alongside tenor Joseph Calleja and bass Thomas Hampson – all audience favorites.

The Story
In this love story, courtesan Violetta Valery meets a new admirer, Alfredo Germont, who confesses his love. Trouble brews when Alfredo’s father demands that she renounce his son since the scandal of Alfredo’s affair has threatened his own daughter’s engagement. Violetta resists but eventually agrees, not wanting any harm to come to Alfredo or his family. Despite her undying love, she leaves word to Alfredo that she no longer loves him, in an effort to help him move on. Back in Paris, Alfredo denounces his former love cruelly, and months later, Violetta, deathly ill with tuberculosis, has only days to live. Alfredo and his father become contrite when they learn the truth about Violetta’s selfless love, but it may already be too late to ask her forgiveness.

Synopsis

ACT I
Violetta’s house in Paris; August
Violetta is giving a party for her friends. One of her guests, Gastone, introduces her to his friend Alfredo. Together, Violetta and Alfredo sing a toast to wine and pleasure. Violetta is about to lead her guests to dance,when she feels ill, and asks them to go on. Alfredo stays behind with Violetta. He tells her that he has loved her from afar for a year, and asks Violetta to let him take care of her. Violetta teases him, and then hands him a camellia, asking him to return when it has faded. After her guests have left, Violetta admits to herself that she is attracted to Alfredo, but decides not to give up her life of pleasure.

ACT II
Scene 1: A country house near Paris; the following January
Alfredo and Violetta have been living happily together for three months. Alfredo learns that Violetta has been selling her possessions to pay for their lifestyle, and decides to go to Paris to raise money himself. Violetta is alone, reading an invitation to her friend Flora’s party, when Alfredo’s father enters. He has come to persuade Violetta to leave Alfredo. He explains that his daughter’s engagement may be jeopardized, as her fiancé’s family are scandalized by Alfredo’s relationship with Violetta. Violetta, distraught, tells Germont how much she loves Alfredo, and about her serious illness. Eventually she agrees to leave Alfredo. Germont praises her sacrifice before departing. Violetta is writing a note to Alfredo when he returns. Imploring Alfredo to remember her love for him, she runs out. A messenger brings Alfredo Violetta’s note, and he collapses in despair. His father re-enters, and urges him to return to the family home, but Alfredo decides to follow Violetta to Paris and Flora’s party.

Scene 2: A salon in Flora’s house
Flora’s party is in full swing, with gypsy dancers and card playing. Alfredo arrives and gambles recklessly. When Violetta enters with her former lover, Baron Douphol, Alfredo challenges him to play at cards. The Baron loses and vows revenge. Violetta manages to speak to Alfredo alone and tries to get him to leave, but refuses to go with him. Alfredo summons in the guests and throws his winnings at Violetta as payment for their time together. Germont has arrived unobserved; he denounces his son. Violetta is griefstricken. The Baron challenges Alfredo to a duel.

ACT III
Violetta’s bedroom; February Violetta is dying, nursed by Annina and Doctor Grenvil. Alone, she reads a letter from Germont telling her that Alfredo now knows about Violetta’s sacrifice and is coming to ask her forgiveness. Violetta suspects he will arrive too late, and prepares for death. Annina ushers in Alfredo. The lovers embrace, and plan a new life away from Paris, but Violetta cannot hide how ill she is. Germont enters, and praises Violetta’s noble nature. Violetta gives Alfredo a locket containing her picture, telling him to give it to the girl he will one day marry. Violetta suddenly feels a rush of life, and believes she is recovering, but collapses, dead, to the grief of the others.