La TraviataPerformance Dates and Ticket InformationPerformance Dates: Saturday, March 19, 2011 at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 22, 2011 at 7:30 p.m., Friday, March 25, 2011 at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, March 27, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. Tickets range from $10-75. Student, group and senior discounts are available. Regular tickets for La Traviata on sale now as season tickets with The Italian Girl in Algiers by calling 243-0591.
The Story of La TraviataACT I: As a party is underway in the apartment of courtesan Violetta Valery, Alfredo Germont is introduced as an admirer. He flirts with Violetta and sings a brindisi, or drinking song. Afterwards the guests move to an adjoining room for dancing, and Violetta is afflicted by a fit of consumptive coughing. Concerned, Alfredo remains behind and urges her to abandon her way of life that is sure to lead to an early grave. He declares his love for Violetta, which she makes light of, and tells him that she seeks pleasure, not love. Alfredo persists, and Violetta agrees to meet him the following day. The guests leave, and Violetta wonders to herself whether Alfredo could really be the man to change her life. She shrugs off her foolish fancy and decides to keep her freedom, but Alfredo's voice is heard from outside as he sings of the wonders of love. ACT II: Alfredo and Violetta have been living together in a country house near Paris for three months. Alfredo's happiness turns to shame when by chance he learns that Violetta has been selling her possessions in order to maintain them, and he runs off to Paris to settle matters at his own cost. Violetta enters and receives an invitation to a party that evening at her friend Flora's house. She is visited by an elderly gentleman who proves to be Germont senior. He begs her to leave Alfredo for the sake of Alfredo's sister, whose prospects are threatened by the scandal of her brother's liason. Violetta proclaims her love for Alfredo and says she cannot leave him. Germont dismisses all of Violetta's hopes of happiness as delusions, transient as youth and beauty. Finally she gives in, and sends a message of acceptance to Flora. She begins writing a farewell note to Alfredo when he suddenly returns. Violetta reminds Alfredo of how deeply she loves him, and bids him a passionate farewell, pretending that she is leaving only for a few hours. A little later Alfredo receives Violetta's note telling the "truth"; that she is returning to a former patron, Baron Douphol. While Germont tries to comfort him, Alfredo broods on vengeance. At Flora's party that evening, the guests are entertained with masquarades of gypsies and bullfighters, while Flora learns from the marquis that Violetta and Alfredo have separated. Alfredo arrives and begins to gamble recklessly, winning large sums of money at cards while making bitter comments about love. Violetta and the baron enter and Douphol challenges Alfredo to a game. Alfredo wins and Douphol loses a small fortune to him. The guests are summoned to dinner, but a moment later Alfredo and Violetta return alone. Fearing for his life, she urges him to leave the party. Alfredo misunderstands her apprehension, and when Violetta claims that she loves the baron, Alfredo summons the guests and, announcing that he is paying Violetta for services rendered, hurls the money he has just won at her feet. At that moment Germont arrives and witnesses his son's rash act. As Germont renounces Alfredo's behavior, the crowd rebukes Alfredo and Baron Douphol challenges him to a duel. ACT III: Six months have passed and Violetta is gravely ill. In her bedroom Dr. Grenvil tells Annina that her mistress will soon die of tuberculosis. Violetta knows that she only has a few hours to live, and reads over a letter from Germont. Alfredo, who fled abroad after wounding Douphol in a duel, has been told of her sacrifice and is on his way back to Paris to ask her forgiveness. Violetta senses Alfredo may return too late, and in a feverish daze she hears the celebration of Mardi Gras outside in the streets. The sound of Shrove Tuesday revels in the street contrasts ironically with the desolation within. Alfredo does return, however, and the lovers dream of escape and plan to leave Paris forever. As Violetta tries to dress she collapses, and both realize that she is close to death. Germont enters with the doctor, as he is anxious to make amends for the suffering he has caused. Violetta gives Alfredo a portrait of herself to keep in rememberance of their love, and suddenly begins to feel her strength return. Sadly this surge of vitality is fleeting, as Violetta staggers and falls dead at her lover's feet.
The CastVioletta Valery, a courtesan ~ Shana Blake Hill Alfredo Germont, a young aristocrat ~ Chad A. Johnson Giorgio Germont, Alfredo's father ~ Jonathan Carle Flora Bervoix, Violetta's friend ~ Andrea Kiesling Gastone, Alfredo's friend ~ Sam Shepperson Marchese d'Obigny ~ Paul Bower
Conductor ~ Francesco Milioto Stage Director ~ David Bartholomew |
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