LA TRAVIATA

La Traviata — fallen, stray (ital.)

... She lived some lives. The first flew is dazzling and rapidly (Mari Dyuplessi), another was embodied on pages of the novel of Aleksander Dumas son (Margarita Gaultier). And the third life of the beauty (already under a name of Violetta Valéry) is presented to her by ingenious music of Giuseppe Verdi and proceeds the second century.

In the forties of the last century the name of Mari Dyuplessi was widely known to Parisians. The rare beauty, native wit and charm of the young girl helped her to become one of the most fashionable stars of the Parisian demimonde. Among her numerous admirers there were  composer F. Liszt, the poet T. Gaultier. The love story of Mari Dyuplessi and the young beginning writer Aleksander Dumas son formed a basis for the novel "The Lady with Camellias". The rumor attributes their gap and the followed Dumas's travel to insistance of his father — the glorified author of "Three musketeers". Having returned to Paris, Dumas didn't find Mari in the live — she died of tuberculosis in 1847, without having reached also twenty five years. The novel "The Lady with Camellias" did a lot of noise in societe, in its heroine Margarita Gaultier all recognized Mari Dyuplessi, and in Armand Duval were inclined to see the author.

Soon on the basis of novel Duma wrote the play. The premiere which took place in 1852 made a tremendous success. The play was popular in  all countries of Europe.

On the Parisian premiere "Ladies with camellias" there was Giuseppe Verdi. The play made on him strong impression. At the composer the impudent plan of creation of the original opera is born on this modern story. For work one of the best librettists of that time — F. Piave is attracted. However the premiere of the opera which took place on March 6, 1853 on a scene of the Venetian theatre "La Fenice" came to the end with a scandalous failure. "Traviata" failed last night. My fault or singers?... time will judge" — Verdi wrote after premiere.

In a year, put at other Venetian theatre, "Traviata" made huge success and for some years, was forever fixed in repertoire. When Duma got acquainted with Verdi's opera, he exclaimed: "In fifty years nobody would remember "The lady with camellias", but Verdi immortalized her".

The first action

First picture

Noisy fun reigns in the house of the courtesan Violetta Valéry: Violetta's admirers celebrate her recovery. Among guests Alfred Zhermon who recently arrived from the province. At first sight he fell in love with Violetta, in her heart the reciprocal feeling was lit.

Second picture

Violetta and Alfred left Paris, having retired to a country house. In conversation with Annina Alfred incidentally learns that madam secretly sells the values. Shamed by this victim, it hurries to Paris to settle monetary affairs.

Violetta is visited unexpectedly by Georges Zhermon, Alfred's father. For the sake of the daughter he begs Violetta to break this link, shameful for his family.

The come-back Alfred is surprised with excitement and Violetta's tears, and after her leaving he finds the farewell letter.

Alfred hurries to Paris to revenge for change.

Action the second

Third picture

Masquerade at Flora, Violetta's girlfriend. At the card table — Alfred. Accompanied by the baron Dyufol there is Violetta. She painfully endures a break up. Violetta is  in alarm for the beloved, she tries to prevent quarrel and Alfred's duel with the baron. But Alfred calls guests and at all offends Violetta, saying her directly money — the payment for love.

Fourth picture

Violetta is fatally sick. She reads Zhermon's letter for the 100-th time : the father revealed to the son secret of her love and self-sacrifice.

From the street reaches noise of a carnival. There arrived Alfred. The happiness of lovers is boundless. But forces leave Violetta, she dies on Alfred's hands.