Lyric Opera 2018-2019 Issue 9 La Traviata

L Y R I C O P E R A O F C H I C A G O February 16 - March 22, 2019 | 21 La traviata – Synopsis TIME: Around 1860 PLACE: In and near Paris ACT ONE A salon in Violetta’s home Intermission ACT TWO Scene 1. A country house near Paris Scene 2. Flora’s mansion Intermission ACT THREE Violetta’s bedroom in her Paris home ACT ONE 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. e 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. ACT TWO Scene 1. 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. e 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. 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. ACT THREE 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. Approximate Timings ACT ONE 30 minutes Intermission 20 minutes ACT TWO 60 minutes Intermission 25 minutes ACT THREE 35 minutes Total timings: 2 hours, 50 minutes