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La traviata 1962

Jul 18 1962

The elegant world of the Parisian demimonde…

…is the backdrop for Verdi’s passionate story of honor and loyalty, as a beautiful courtesan sacrifices her happiness for true love.

Music By
Giuseppe Verdi
Libretto By
Francesco Maria Piave
English Translation By
Ruth and Thomas Martin

Synopsis

Act I

The opera opens on a party in the salon of Violetta Valery, a young courtesan of great beauty. Among the guests is Alfredo Germont, who proposes a toast to the gaiety of the affair. The guests swirl off to another room to dance, but Violetta, seized with a coughing fit, sinks to a sofa. Alfredo comes to her, and tells her that, although he has seen her only from a distance, he is seriously in love with her. Violetta advises him to forget about her, but finally promises to see him the next day.

When the guests are gone, Violetta remembers Alfredo, and asks herself if this young man might be the one true love in her life of many affairs. But no, she reminds herself, such love is not for her. She must remain forever free.

Act II

Violetta has succumbed to Alfredo’s ardor and the two are living in a house outside Paris. Alfredo’s happiness is shaken when he learns from Violetta’s maid, Annina, that she has been selling her personal belongings to pay for their life together. He rushes off to Paris to try to raise money.

Violetta is expecting her lawyer, and when a caller is announced, asks that he be shown in. But it is Alfredo’s father who enters. He pleads with her to leave Alfredo, for not only is the young man’s own career threatened, but his sister’s impending marriage is endangered by this dubious liaison. Heartbroken, Violetta agrees to arrange things so that Alfredo will believe she has tired of life with him, and writes a farewell note, which she gives to Annina. Another note to Flora Berviox accepts the invitation to a party that night at the salon of her old friend.

Before she can escape, Alfredo returns. Violetta begs him to love her always, and quietly steals away. A moment later Annina brings him the farewell note in which Violetta says she has gone back to her former protector, Baron Duphol. Alfredo is about to follow her, when his father re-enters. The older man reminds his son of their peaceful home, and begs him to return there with him. But Alfredo has found Flora’s invitation and resolves to follow Violetta to the party to avenge the insult.

Act III

In Flora’s salon, gypsy dancers are entertaining the party guests. Alfredo enters alone and shortly afterward Violetta comes in on the Baron’s arm. At the gaming table Alfredo wins again and again until he has almost wiped out the Baron. As the guests go off to supper, Violetta stays behind to beg Alfredo to leave before trouble starts. Alfredo tells her that he will leave if she goes with him, and demands to know whether she is in love with the Baron. Remembering her promise to the elder Germont, Violetta tells him she is. At this, Alfredo summons the guests to hear his denunciation of Violetta, and hurls his winnings in her face.

Act IV

Some months have elapsed, and Act IV finds Violetta living in a shabby flat, desperately ill, attended only by the faithful Annina. Dr. Grenvil calls with cheering words, but tells Annina that Violetta can live only for a few hours. Germont has written, saying that he has told Alfredo of her sacrifice, and promising to bring the young man to her. Violetta knows that death is very near, and remembers the happy past. Suddenly Alfredo rushes in. Reunited, the lovers plan to leave the city together. But it is too late – Violetta cannot even struggle into her clothes. Annina rushes for the doctor, and the elder Germont enters to hear Violetta give Alfredo a miniature portrait of herself and charge him to give it to his future bride. As Violetta falls back in her lover’s arms, the doctor arrives, only in time to tell them that all is over.

Artists

Maria di Gerlando

Soprano

Violetta

John McCollum

Tenor

Alfredo

Theodor Uppman

Baritone

Germont

Marlena Kleinman

Mezzo-soprano

Flora

Lawrence Boyll

Bass

Baron Duphol

Catherine Owens

Soprano

Annina

Gerald Landon

Tenor

Gastone

John West

Tenor

Marquis d'Obigny

Therman Bailey

Bass

Dr. Grenvil

Martin Eugene Allen

Tenor

Giuseppe

Joseph Galiano

Bass

Flora's Servant

Guy Waid

Tenor

A Messenger

Nancy King

Dancer

Premiere Danseuse

Howard Sayette

Dancer

Premier Danseur

Robert Baustian

Conductor

Ed Purrington

Director

Henry Heymann

Designer

Scenery & Costumes

Louise Guthman

Lighting Designer

John Moriarty

Chorus Master