La Traviata

Alan Tolcher Music Appreciation

La Traviata

La Traviata is an opera that was written by Guiseppe Fortunino Francesco Verdi. In the first act of the opera, the courtesan , which is a fancy name for a hooker, Violetta, is in her Paris Salon greeting her party guests which are Flora Bervoix, Marquis d’Obigny, Baron Douphol, and Gastone. Gastone is the man who introduces Violetta to her admirer, Alfredo Germont. Alfredo, after admiring Violetta from a distance then proposes a toast to Violetta which turns into a drinking song called “Libiamo.” The guests can hear an orchestra coming from a distance and they start moving towards the noise, but as they are moving Violetta suffers from a fainting spell. She then sends her guests ahead and goes to her parlor to gather herself. Alfredo then decides that this is the opportune moment to confess his love for Violetta, alone in the parlor. He does this to song entitled “Un di filice.” At first Violetta tries to tell Alfredo that love means nothing to her, but she can’t resist him and she promises to meet him the next day. After all of the guests leaves Violetta sings an Aria about whether Alfredo could be the man she could love. This Aria is called “Ah, forse’e lui.” After she ponders this, she decides that she wants freedom instead of the restraints of love while Alfredo is heard outside arguing for romance. They do this to an Aria called “Sempre libera.”

The second act of the opera takes place several months later. Violetta and Alfredo are now living in a country house close by Paris and Alfredo is very pleased with their contentment he sings this to an aria called “De’ miei bollenti spiriti.” After he sings this, a maid of his informs Alfredo that Violetta has pawned her Jewels in order for the two of them to keep the house. When he hears this he leaves to the city to settle their living situation at his own cost. Violetta starts to look for Alfredo and finds an invitation to from Flora to a party that was being held that night. Violetta has no intention of going back to be a courtesan, but when she is at the party she runs into Alfredo’s father. He is impressed by Violetta’s rather ladylike manners but he is still making her renounce his son because the scandal of Alfredo’s affair with Violetta has threatened his daughter’s engagement. This is all done to an aria entitled “Pura siccome un angelo.” Violleta tells Germont that she can not renounce Alfredo but Germont eventually convinces her to do so. This is also sung to an aria called “Dite alla giovine.” When Violetta is alone she starts writing her acceptance letter to the party Flora invited her to, and a farewell letter to Alfredo. All of a sudden, Alfredo bursts in exclaiming his love for Violetta and she can barely control herself when she tells him how much she loves him when they sing the aria “Amami Alfred.” After Violetta leaves, a servant hands Alfredo Violetta’s farewell note and Germont returns to the house to console his son with reminders of family life back in Provence. Germont is singing the aria “Di Provenza.” Alfredo is not very happy though. He saw the invitation to Flora’s party, and he is suspecting that Violetta has thrown him away for another lover. He was then, determined to confront her at Flora’s party. At Flora’s party, Flora hears from the Marquis that Violetta and Alfredo have separated. She then clears the floor for hired entertainers which are a band of fortune-telling Gypsies and

some matadors who sing of piquillo and his coy sweetheart. This is done to the aria “E piquillo un bel gagliardo.” Not long after, Alfredo walks in and discusses bitter things about love and how he is going to gamble recklessly. Then Violleta arrives with Baron Douphol. Baron Douphol then challenges Alfredo to a game and he loses some money to Alfredo. While everyone is leaving for dinner, Violetta asks Alfredo if he will speak with her. She asks Alfredo to leave because she is afraid that the Baron will become angry. Misunderstanding Violetta, he demands that she admits her love for Douphol. She is pretty upset that Alfredo would think that, and like a typical stubborn woman, she pretends that she is in love with Douphol. Alfredo is now pretty upset and he calls in others. He then denounces his former love, Violetta, and throws his winnings at her feet. This is done to an aria called “Questa donna conoscete?” Germont enters in time to see all that is going on and he denounces his son’s behavior. Then the guests rebuke Alfredo and Alfredo is challenged to a duel by Douphol. The third act takes place six months later. A man named Dr. Grenvil is tells Annina her mistress has not long to live. She has tuberculosis. Alone in a room, Violetta rereads a letter from Germont telling Violetta that the Baron was only wounded in his duel with Alfredo. Alfredo is coming to see Violetta to ask her forgiveness. Then Annina rushes in to announce that Alfredo has arrived. He walks in and they are ecstatic. They plan on leaving Paris together. They do this to an aria entitled “Parigi, o cara.” Germont then enters with the doctor when Violetta is seized with her last bit of strength. As she feels life return, she tries to get to her feet, but falls dead at her lover’s feet.