Come Join the Party! Monday, October 6, 2008 7:00 p.m. Pre-performance lecture at 6:00 p.m. Kennedy Center Opera House In Italian with English supertitles Tickets start at only $15!

Buy tickets now! This event is EXCLUSIVELY for individuals between the ages of 18 and 35. Each person claiming tickets will be asked to present identification and proof of age. Your ticket purchase includes: A pre-performance lecture at 6:00 p.m. in the Opera House. One Commentary on CD per pair of tickets with dialogue and musical excerpts - mailed in advance to prepare you for the performance. Membership in Generation O - providing special ticket prices and exclusive promotions throughout the year! An invitation to the Generation O  Advisory Council pre-performance reception.

Free Pre-Performance Lecture Join Young Artist Director Stephen Carr and Young Artist Conductor Michael Rossi in a free pre-performance lecture in the Opera House at 6:00 p.m.! Pre-Performance Reception with the Generation O Advisory Council with special appearance by Plácido Domingo! Join the Generation O Advisory Council for a pre-performance reception in the South Opera Tier Lounge at 6:00 p.m.  Plácido Domingo will make a special guest appearance. Tickets are $25.  Hurry, space is limited! Ticket includes wine and cheese. Purchase tickets now!* *Limited to Generation O members 21 and over.

The Cast

The History

Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901) is generally regarded as the greatest Italian opera composer. By 1853, when La Traviata premiered, Verdi was regarded as the undisputed master of Italian opera (as Rossini had essentially retired in 1830). After the enormous success of Rigoletto and Il Trovatore, Verdi yearned for a contemporary subject, and found it in Alexandre Dumas’ play La Dame aux Camélias, based on the short and tragic life of Marie Duplessis, a celebrated courtesan who died in 1847 at the age of 23. Her story gave Verdi the opportunity to move from the grander, more “operatic” subject matter of his earlier works and explore more private, intensely personal passions. Verdi’s ravishingly beautiful melodies, filled with an astonishing variety of colors and nuance, combined with the powerful story of love sacrificed, have made La Traviata one of the most treasured of all operas.

The Story

Act One

A garden in Violetta’s House. August in 1846 Paris.

A party is being given at the house of the city’s most beautiful and adored courtesan, Violetta Valéry. She greets her guests, among them Flora Bervoix and her escort, the Marquis D’Obigny, Baron Douphol, and Doctor Grenvil. Gastone introduces Alfredo Germont to Violetta, and the young man tells Violetta that he admires her and thinks of her constantly. Gastone proposes a toast and Alfredo responds with a drinking song.  (“Libiamo ne’ lieti calici”) When the guests move into the ballroom to dance, Violetta feels indisposed and begs her guests to go on without her. Alfredo remains behind and declares his love for her. (Duet: “Un dì felice, eterea”) She tells him she can only offer friendship. She gives him a flower, asking him to return when it has faded. Alone, she thinks about Alfredo (“Ah, fors’è lui”), but resolves to enjoy herself and her whirlwind lifestyle. (“Sempre libera”)    

Act Two, Scene One

A country house near Paris. The following November.

Alfredo and Violetta have been living together in the country for three months, when Alfredo learns from Annina that Violetta has been selling her possessions to support them. Disgraced, he rushes off to Paris to get money. Alfredo’s father, Giorgio Germont, surprises Violetta with a visit and requests that she leave Alfredo because his sister’s engagement will be broken if her brother is linked to a courtesan. (Duet: “Pura siccome un angelo”) Violetta confesses that Alfredo’s love has redeemed her, and that she is very sick and might not live long, but Germont is unmoved and insists on a definite separation. Violetta finally agrees to make the sacrifice and only begs that after she dies, Alfredo should know the reason she left him. (“Dite alla giovine”) She writes a letter and, when Alfredo returns, says good-bye. He assumes she will only be gone for a short while, but a messenger delivers the letter announcing that she has returned to her former lover. Alfredo’s father tries to comfort his son, but to no avail.  

Act Two, Scene Two

Flora’s house. Later that day.

Violetta’s friend Flora is hosting a party. Alfredo’s arrival startles the guests, but his disinterest in Violetta garners approval. He joins a game of cards as Violetta and Baron Douphol enter. The Baron challenges Alfredo and promptly loses. The guests disperse when dinner is announced. Violetta returns to warn Alfredo that his life is in danger and that he should leave the party. He agrees to go only if she follows him. Remembering her oath to his father, Violetta refuses and, furious, Alfredo calls the guests to witness that he has paid her back for their time together. (“Questa donna conoscete?”) His father arrives and denounces his son for such shameful behavior, and Douphol vows to challenge Alfredo to a duel.   

Act Three

Violetta’s bedroom. February 3, 1847.

Violetta lies on her deathbed, knowing she will not live much longer. She reads a letter from Alfredo’s father, relating how Alfredo fled the country after wounding Douphol in a duel but promising that he will return to seek her pardon. When Alfredo arrives, the two reunite joyfully and dream of leaving Paris (“Parigi, o cara”), but Violetta collapses. Alfredo’s father comes to ask forgiveness for the pain he has caused the lovers. Violetta presses a miniature portrait of herself into Alfredo’s hands, telling him to give it to the pure bride whom he will marry one day. Violetta suddenly feels that her pains have ceased and that she is coming back to life. But it is too late. . . she dies in Alfredo’s arms.