La Traviata - Ticket for the Opera Season 2007

The story of La Traviata takes place in the second half of 19th century in Paris and it is one of Verdi's most complex and daring operas. In many ways, La Traviata represents Verdi's real artistic maturation from his earlier operas. La Traviata is an opera in 3 acts based on Alexandre Dumas' play "La dame aux camélias". Libretto by Francesco Maria Piave. The opera was first performed at "La Fenice" theatre in Venice on 6th March 1853. Unlikely this première was unsuccessful: the reasons were both the unhappy performance of the singers and censure.

The following year Verdi modified, even if only lightly, the score in order to adapt it to the new singers and on 6th May 1854 the opera was played at the "San Benedetto" theatre in Venice obtaining finally a great success. Verdi's idea to set to music such a daring and so discussed at that time drama, confirms us a great courage by the compositor, who had to fight against the disapproval both of the audience and critics completely shocked by this opera.

Through the use of primordial flashbacks, Verdi takes the listeners to travel in the past on the background of feasts in Paris, in a general atmosphere of well-being and joy that is complete in contrast with the image of Violetta lying ill in her bed. In a really short time the pathos of the story and the loftiness of Verdi's music contribute to make La Traviata one of the most famous operas of the Italian compositor.