GIUSEPPE VERDI
LA TRAVIATA
CONTENTS
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SYNOPSIS P.
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ROOTS IN BELCANTO, BRANCHES IN THE FUTURE GIACOMO SAGRIPANTI P.
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THE DIRECTOR AS A STORYTELLER BOGDAN ROŠČIĆ TALKS TO LA TRAVIATA DIRECTOR SIMON STONE
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POPULAR DESPITE EVERYTHING ANDREAS LÁNG P.
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ILLNESS AS METAPHOR SUSAN SONTAG P.
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YOU DON’T POST A BLOODY HANDKERCHIEF ON INSTAGRAM CHRISTINA BÖCK
HOW THE CAMELLIA BECAME A VIOLET OLIVER LÁNG
IMPRINT
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GIUSEPPE VERDI
LA TRAVIATA MELODRAMMA in three acts Libretto FRANCESCO MARIA PIAVE Based on a work by ALEXANDRE DUMAS FILS
ORCHESTRA
STAGE MUSIC
2 flutes / 1 piccolo / 2 oboes 2 clarinets / 2 bassoons / 4 horns 2 trumpets / 3 trombones 1 cimbasso / timpani / percussion violin I / violin II / viola cello / double bass harp / 2 flutes / 1 piccolo 2 oboes / 2 clarinets / 2 bassoons 4 horns / 2 trombones / percussion violin I / violin II / cello / double bass
AUTOGRAPH Ricordi archives WORLD PREMIÈRE 6 MARCH 1853 Teatro La Fenice, Venice PREMIÈRE OF THE SECOND VERSION 6 MAY 1854 Teatro S. Benedetto, Venice PREMIÈRE AT THE HOUSE ON THE RING 11 MARCH 1876 Vienna Court Opera DURATION
2 H 45 M
INCL. 2 INTERMISSIONS
L A T R AV I ATA
SYNOPSIS ACT 1 Violetta Valéry, a high-priced object of desire in Paris society, is out wildly partying again after a long sickness, but only seemingly recovered. Alfredo, a young man from the country, sings and toasts to the praises of true love. However, Violetta confesses to a different lifestyle of carefree enjoyment of life. In the middle of the wild party she suddenly passes out. After she withdraws from the crowd, Alfredo admits his love for her which Violetta does not want to accept: she can only promise him friendship but not love. But quickly she is overwhelmed by a conflict of feelings: should she give up her life now and accept her feelings?
ACT 2 Violetta and Alfredo are now a couple and have retreated to the countryside. Since then Violetta has accumulated large debts which she is keeping secret from Alfredo. When Alfredo hears from Violetta’s housemaid Annina that she has sold her belongings in order to further finance their shared household, he quickly returns to Paris to do his part and provide for them the necessary means. During Alfredo’s absence, his father demands that Violetta end the relationship in order to not endanger the family’s honor and consequently the engagement of his daughter. After a long fight, Violetta consents and sacrifices her own happiness for the sake of Alfredo’s sister. She writes a farewell letter, avoids his return and secretly travels to Paris by herself. After he has read her delivered letter, Alfredo suspects Baron Douphol has stolen Violetta away from him. When he finds invitation for her to a Parisian party, he follows her in order to take his revenge.
Previous pages:
KS JUAN DIEGO FLÓREZ as ALFREDO PRETTY YENDE as VIOLETTA
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SYNOPSIS
At the orgiastic party, feelings are riding high. Alfredo wins at gambling and provokes Douphol. Violetta tries to prevent a further confrontation and asks to talk with Alfredo privately, in which she however withholds from him the true reason for their breakup. When Alfredo pressures her, she admits to him that she loves the Baron. Filled with rage and disappointment, Alfredo insults Violetta as roughly and dirty as possible – horrifying everyone in the room.
ACT 3 The impoverished Violetta is close to dying. Receiving a letter from Alfredo’s father, she hears that Alfredo now knows the truth and understands her sacrifice. But as the lover finally arrives, together with his father who has also hurried over, they find only someone who is dying.
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