- UK Information
- UK Theatres
- Synopsis of shows
- La Traviata
La Traviata - Show Information
Alfredo falls in love with Violetta, a high-class prostitute. They decide to live together but Alfredo's father discovers their relationship and decides to break it up.Based on a story by Dumas, Giuseppi Verdi's opera has become one of the most popular of operas. The Dumas story is partially based on his own experience with a woman for whom he still seemed to have strong feelings even after their breakup.
Sung in Italian, the scenes of La Traviata take place in Paris. Violetta is the major character as the opera opens. It becomes apparent that she is at least in the beginning stages of dying with tuberculosis. Alfred's Drinking Song reveals that Alfred is falling in love with Violetta. The feelings seem to be becoming reciprocal.
Through revelations from the maid of Violetta, Alfred learns that she is poor and has been selling her jewelry to support her life style. A visit to Violetta from Alfred's father adds to the plot since he asks her to break off the relationship. As she decides to separate from Alfred, she is aware that the decision will probably hasten the death which tuberculosis will bring to her.
Misunderstandings, romantic breakups, and misrepresentations make up this emotionally sung story.
| Lyrics | Francesco Maria Piave |
| Music | Giuseppe Verdi |