February 16. 2019 - March 22. 2019

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February 16. 2019 - March 22. 2019

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La traviata

Verdi’s music is incomparable, with one heartstoppingly beautiful melody after another, in this exquisitely romantic story. Within the social whirl of sophisticated Paris, the courtesan Violetta lives purely for pleasure but longs for true love. She finds the right man in Alfredo, but their happiness is cut short: at his father’s insistence, Violetta leaves Alfredo for the sake of his family. Her spirit broken, her health shattered, Violetta now lives only with the hope that Alfredo will return to her. La traviata gives us one of opera’s most glorious heroines, a woman of boundless humanity and emotional depth.

Language: Sung in Italian with projected English translations
Running Time: 2 hours, 50 minutes with 2 intermissions
Location: Lyric Opera House

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No opera really sings unless it rings true to its psychological core, and Lyric Opera of Chicago has that rare winner in its current run of Verdi’s “La Traviata.””

Chicago Sun-Times

A stellar cast of singers inhabits these characters, led by Russian soprano Albina Shagimuratova as Violetta.”

Broadway World

Michael Christie makes his Lyric debut as conductor, connecting the musicians and the singers in such beautiful harmony that one easily gets lost in the arias.”

Third Cost Review

Spectacle as only opera can do it.”

Picture This Post

This was transcendent; this felt deeply new.”

Chicago on the Aisle

Masterfully performed.”

Chicago Theatre Review

La traviata videos

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See what critics are saying about La traviata

Verdi's music is incomparable, with one heartstoppingly beautiful melody after another, in this exquisitely romantic story.

The Women of La traviata

Director Arin Arbus and costume designer Cait O'Connor look at love & loneliness, from a courtesan's point of view. Music used with kind permission from Warner Music Group.

Conductor Michael Christie on Verdi's La traviata

Hear from conductor Michael Christie on how Verdi's music helps inform the characters of La traviata.

La traviata at Lyric Opera of Chicago

Hear some of the "Greatest Hits" from Verdi's La traviata.

La traviata

by Giuseppe Verdi

The music featured is generously furnished by Warner Classics.

"Libiaimo ne' lieti calici"

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"Sempre libera"

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"Ah! Dite alla giovine"

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La traviata

by Giuseppe Verdi

Lyric Opera Commentaries are sponsored by the Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Foundation in memory of their parents.

© 2018/19 Lyric Opera Commentaries. All rights reserved. Recording & Production services provided by Mark Travis. The music featured in Lyric Commentaries is generously furnished by Warner Classics.
A project of the Women’s Board

Commentary by David Buch

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La traviata articles

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Lyric Welcomes A Brilliant New Tenor for La traviata

A Russian soprano, a Serbian baritone, and an Italian tenor will grace La traviata when Verdi's exquisite romance returns to Lyric . Albina Shagimuratova (Violetta) and Željko Lučić (Germont) are great favorites with Lyric audiences, and Giorgio Berrugi (Alfredo) is making one of the season's most eagerly awaited company debuts.

Lyric's La travita Wows Critics & Audiences

Gorgeous music. A beautiful, heartbreaking story, memorably told. Terrific performances across the board. Lavish over-the-top costumes for the party scenes. What's not to love Check out what the critics have to say about La traviata.

Synopsis

TIME: Around 1860
PLACE: In and near Paris

A salon in Violetta’s home

A party is in progress at the Paris home of the courtesan Violetta Valéry, who has just recovered from serious illness. Gastone de Letorières introduces her to Alfredo Germont, his friend from the country. Violetta’s current lover, Baron Douphol, is irritated with Alfredo because during Violetta’s recent illness, Alfredo came to her home each day to express his concern. Gastone encourages Alfredo to lead a drinking song.

The guests move into the next room for dancing, but Violetta, feeling faint, stays behind. She is startled to see Alfredo and gently rebuffs him when he declares his love. Finally she gives him a flower, telling him to return when it has faded. Overjoyed – since this means he will see her the next day – he leaves, followed moments later by the other guests.

Violetta wonders if Alfredo offers the true love she thought would never be hers. She laughs off the idea, declaring that she will live only for pleasure.
Scene 1. A country house near Paris.

Five months later, Alfredo is blissfully happy living with Violetta in the country. When he learns from the maid, Annina, that Violetta has been selling her possessions to pay their expenses, Alfredo rushes off to Paris to raise the necessary funds. Violetta is perplexed by Alfredo’s sudden departure. She receives an invitation to a party to be given by her friend Flora Bervoix that evening in Paris and quickly dismisses it.

Alfredo’s father arrives, outraged by his son’s liaison with Violetta. He insists that Violetta give up Alfredo for the sake of his family: the relationship would doom Alfredo’s sister’s chances for a prosperous marriage. Having assumed that Violetta was after his son’s money, Germont is surprised to see that she loves Alfredo unselfishly. Violetta is eventually convinced by Germont’s appeal and agrees to leave Alfredo, knowing that it will hasten her death. Germont urges her to live, attempting to console her with the thought that heaven will reward her sacrifice. After he departs, Violetta decides to attend Flora’s party and writes a farewell note to Alfredo. When he returns, she begs him simply to love her as much as she loves him and runs from the room.

The confused Alfredo is surprised when a messenger delivers the farewell note. He reads only a few lines before despair overwhelms him, but his father appears and offers comfort. Noticing Flora’s invitation, Alfredo assumes that Violetta has returned to her old life – and to her old lover. He resolves to seek revenge.

Scene 2. Flora’s mansion.

At Flora’s home, everyone enjoys some Spanish entertainment. Alfredo startles the guests by arriving without Violetta. She soon appears, escorted by Baron Douphol, who battles Alfredo at the gaming table. Alfredo wins every game and large sums of money. When supper is announced, all adjourn to the dining room, but Violetta soon reappears, having asked to see Alfredo privately. Fearing Douphol’s jealousy, she begs Alfredo to leave immediately. He refuses, finally drawing from her a false confession that she loves Douphol. Summoning the guests, Alfredo denounces Violetta and throws his winnings at her feet as payment for her services. She faints, causing all present to castigate Alfredo for his behavior. Germont, who has followed his son to the party, reproaches him for insulting a woman, even in anger. Now revived, Violetta laments that Alfredo will never understand the sacrifice she made for love.
Violetta’s bedroom in her Paris home.

One month later, Violetta lies dying in her Paris home. Dr. Grenvil encourages her, but admits to Annina that Violetta has only a few hours to live. Violetta asks Annina to distribute her remaining money to the poor. Left alone, she rereads a letter from Germont: Alfredo, having wounded the baron in a duel, is traveling abroad. Germont has written him of Violetta’s sacrifice, and Alfredo – accompanied by his father – will soon return to ask her forgiveness. Violetta knows that it is too late.

Annina reappears, asking her mistress if she feels well enough to hear some unexpected, joyous news. Within seconds Violetta is in Alfredo’s arms. He convinces her that she will regain her health once they start life again, far from Paris. Violetta wishes to go to church to offer a prayer of thanksgiving. She attempts to dress, but her energy is gone. In anger and despair, she asks how God can let her die so young.

When Germont arrives, he is horrified to see Violetta in such terrible condition. She gives Alfredo a miniature of herself in happier days, and asks that he give it to the woman he will one day marry. Violetta suddenly declares that she has found new strength, but then falls lifeless.

Program book

Go inside this production of La traviata with engaging articles, notes from the director, a complete plot synopsis, artist bios, and more.

View Digital Program Book

Meet the artists

Albina Shagimuratova

Violetta

Russian soprano Albina Shagimuratova's Lyric credits include Violetta Valéry/ La Traviata (2018|19); Elvira/I puritani (2017|18).

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Giorgio Berrugi

Alfredo

Italian tenor Giorgio Berrugi made his Lyric debut as Alfredo Germont in La traviata (2018|19)

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Željko Lučić

Giorgio Germont

Serbian baritone Željko Lučić's Lyric credits include Giorgio Germont/La traviata (2018|19).

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Zoie Reams

Flora Bervoix

American mezzo-soprano Zoie Reams made her Lyric debut as Flora Bervoix/ La traviata (2018|19).

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Lauren Decker

Annina

Ryan Opera Center Ensemble

Contralto Lauren Decker, a four-year member of the Ryan Opera Center, was a national semifinalist in the 2018 Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions.

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Mario Rojas

Gastone

Ryan Opera Center Ensemble

Tenor Mario Rojas was a member of the Ryan Opera Center for three years.

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Chris Kenney

Marquis

Ryan Opera Center Ensemble

A native of Hawley, Minnesota, baritone Christopher Kenney spent two years with the Ryan Opera Center.

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Ricardo José Rivera

Baron Douphol

Ryan Opera Center Ensemble

Puerto Rican baritone Ricardo José Rivera, was a three-year member of the Ryan Opera Center.

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David Weigel

Dr. Grenvil

Ryan Opera Center Ensemble

Three-year Ryan Opera Center bass-baritone David Weigel ia a native of Asheville, North Carolina.

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Eric Ferring

Giuseppe

Ryan Opera Center Ensemble

Tenor Eric Ferring, a native of Dubuque, Iowa, was a Ryan Opera Center member for two years.

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Michael Christie

Conductor

Conductor Michael Christie made his Lyric debut with La traviata (2018|19)

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Arin Arbus

Director

Arin Arbus's Lyric credits include La traviata (2018/19, 2013/14).

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Riccardo Hernandez

Set Designer

Renowned designer Riccardo Hernandez's Lyric credits include La traviata (2018|19, 2013|14).

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Cait O'Connor

Costume & Puppet Designer

Illustrator, painter, and costume designer Cait O'Connor's Lyric credits include La traviata (2018|19, 2013|14).

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Marcus Doshi

Lighting Designer

Lighting designer Marcus Doshi's Lyric credits include La traviata (2018/19, 2013/14).

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Christopher Ash

Projection Designer

Projection designer Christopher Ash's Lyric credits include La traviata (2018|19, 2013|14).

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Michael Black

Chorus Master

Michael Black has served Lyric Opera of Chicago since the 2013/14 Season.

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Austin McCormick

Choreographer

American choreographer Austin McCormick's Lyric credits include La traviata (2018|19, 2013|14).

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