Listen to La traviata

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Achingly romantic and poignant. This is the story of La traviata, “the “wayward one,” Paris’s most desirable courtesan. Barons, marquises…she’s entertained them all, and loved not one of them.But then, the impossible dream comes true. The arrival of Alfredo, who sweeps her off her feet and promises her a life of devoted bliss. She’s deliriously happy for the first time ever! But life (and opera) are sometimes too cruel; the lady’s shady past comes back to crush her, and the future that should have been so bright slips sadly away.

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Lyric Opera of Chicago · Verdi: La Traviata (Live)

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.

Meet the artists

Renée Fleming

Advisor at Large for the Ryan Opera Center

Renée Fleming, Lyric’s Advisor at Large for the Ryan Opera Center and formerly its first creative consultant, is one of the most beloved and celebrated singers of our time.

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Matthew Polenzani

Alfredo

Ryan Opera Center alumnus

Evanston native Matthew Polenzani is one of today’s most admired tenors internationally.

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Thomas Hampson

Germont

Baritone

Award-winning baritone Thomas Hampson's Lyric credits include Count Danilo Danilovich/The Merry Widow (2015|16)

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Sir Andrew Davis

Conductor

Sir Andrew Davis served as music director and principal conductor of Lyric Opera of Chicago from 2000 through the 2020/21 Season.

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Buffy Baggott
Flora

Marjorie Owens
Annina

David Portillo
Gastone

Frank Corsaro
Stage Director

Desmond Heeley
Designer

Christine Binder
Lighting Designer

Donald Nally
Chorus Master

Sara Stewart
Choreographer/Ballet Mistress

Richard Jarvie
Wig & Make Up Designer

The Gramma Fisher Foundation of Marshalltown, Iowa, Production. Revival generously made possible by The Port, Washlow and Errant Families; JPMorgan Chase; Abbott Fund; and Nancy W. Knowles.

Lyric Audio Streaming is made possible through a generous gift from

Photo: Dan Rest

Listen to La traviata

Synopsis

Meet the artists

Renée Fleming

Matthew Polenzani

Thomas Hampson

Sir Andrew Davis

Lyric Audio Streaming is made possible through a generous gift from