Fallin' for a "Fallen" Woman

La Traviata

Giuseppe Verdi

High Notes

Violetta was Callas' second most performed role.  Violetta's two biggest numbers come at the end of Act 1 and at the beginning of Act 3.  Both "Ah, fors'e lui" and "Addio del passato" features high As, easily within the range of a lyric soprano.  Violetta also sings some important B flats at the end of the "letter scene" and the end of the opera itself.  However, the real high notes come in the coloratura showpiece "Sempre libera."  The aria repeatedly calls for high Cs as well as two D flats.  The highest note is an E flat on the last V chord before the closing I chord in A flat.  This note, however, was not written in the score and is therefore optional.  All three of the recordings mentioned below feature this interpolation.  

A melodramma in three acts, 2 hours

Composed in 1853

Set to a libretto by Francesco Maria Piave the 1852 play La Dame aux Camelias (The Lady of the Camelias) by Alexandre Dumas fils

First performed in Venice, Italy, Teatro La Fenice, on 6 March, 1853.

The cast at the premiere included Fanny Salvini Donatelli (Violetta), Ludovico Graziani (Alfredo) and Felice Varesi (Giorgio).

Priniciple Roles

• Violetta Valery, a courtesan.....soprano
• Alfredo Germont, Violetta's lover.....tenor
• Giorgio Germont, Alfredo's father.....baritone
• Flora Bervoix, Violetta's friend.....mezzo-soprano
• Annina, Violetta's maid.....soprano
• Gastone, Vicomte de Letorieres, Alfredo's friend.....tenor
• Baron Douphol, Violetta's protector and suitor.....baritone

The Story

Violetta is hosting a party at her home in Paris. She is intrigued to learn that the young Alfredo Germont is infatuated with her. She is also concerned for her health, as she is showing signs of tuberculosis. The two, now in love, move to the country. However, Violetta is secretly selling her jewelry to pay for their expensive new lives together. When Alfredo learns of this practice from Annina, he returns to Paris to raise money. While Alfredo is away, Giorgio comes to visit Violetta. Giorgio asks Violetta to end her relationship with Alfredo. The fact that Alfredo is living with a courtesan is preventing Alfredo's sister from marrying. Fighting back tears, Violetta agrees and returns to Paris to attend a party hosted by her friend Flora. She leaves a note for Alfredo, which he reads on his return to the country. Giorgio attempts to comfort Alfredo without revealing anything of the real reason why Violetta has left. Alfredo goes to Paris and crashes Flora's party. On seeing that Violetta has returned to her old life under the protection of Baron Douphol, Alfredo insults Violetta in front of all the guests. This causes Violetta to faint, bringing an end to the second act. In the third act, Violetta is near death but holds out for Alfredo's return. When Violetta is once again in Alfedo's arms, she succombs to tuberculosis and dies.

Notable Incipits

• "Libiamo ne' lieti calici" (Violetta & Alfredo)
• "Un di felice" (Violetta & Alfredo)
• "Ah, fors'e lui" (Violetta)
• "Sempre libera" (Violetta)
• "De' miei bollenti spiriti" (Alfredo)
• "O mio rimorso!" (Alfredo)
• "Pura siccome un angelo" (Giorgio)
• "Di Provenza il mar" (Giorgio)
• "Addio del passato" (Violetta)
• "Ah! Gran Dio! morir si giovine" (Violetta)

Recommended Recordings

• Callas (Violetta), Kraus (Alfredo), Sereni (Giorgio)
• Cotrubas (Violetta), Domingo (Alfredo), Milnes (Giorgio)
• Sills (Violetta), Gedda (Alfredo), Panerai (Giorgio)

Upcoming Performances

• November 2008 - Buenos Aires (Colon)
• November 2008 - Miami (Grand)
• November 2008 - Warsaw (Wielki)
• November-December 2008 - St. Petersburg (Kirov)
• December 2008-April 2009 - Zurich (Oper)
• December 2008-June 2009 - Munich (Staatsoper)
• December 2008-June 2009 - Prague (Statni)
• January-May 2009 - Berlin (Deutsche Oper)
• February-May 2009 - Hamburg (Staatsoper)
• March 2009 - Verono (Teatro)
• May 2009 - Vienna (Staatsoper)
• May-June 2009 - Los Angeles (Opera)
• June-July 2009 - Lyon (Opera)
• June-July 2009 - San Francisco
• July-August 2009 - Glimmerglass
• July-August 2009 - Santa Fe
• September 2009 - Venice (La Fenice)