PRESENTS:

Verdi / La Traviata (The Fallen Woman)*

An opera in four acts
Libretto by Francesco Maria Piave after Alexandre Dumas fils’ play La dame aux camélias
First performance: Venice; Teatro La Fenice, March 6, 1853
Performed in Italian with English supertitles above the stage

Some operas sweep through vast swaths of history; some turn on mistaken identity, political intrigue, magic, envy, or greed. But La Traviata breaks the mold. Verdi and his librettist, Francesco Maria Piave, spin a tale of social expectation and conflict – a story about a courtesan who falls in love and ultimately sacrifices everything for her love. Verdi makes us care so deeply about his heroine that her heart and happiness carry the tale. For more than a century and a half, audiences have adored this heroine and the score Verdi considered his most meaningful.

EVENING SHOWS June 27 | July 4 | July 12 | July 17
SUNDAY MATINEES June 29 | July 20
June 27 performance is at 8pm. All other evening performances are at 7:30pm.
CAST:
Violetta Valéry, a courtesan Caitlin Lynch
Flora Bervoix, her friend Ashley Dixon
Annina, Violetta’s maid TBA
Alfredo Germont Diego Silva
Giorgio Germont, his father Todd Thomas
Gastone, Vicomte de Letorières Brenton Ryan
Baron Duphol, Violetta’s protector Luis Orozco
Marchese D’Obigny, friend of Flora TBA
Doctor Grenvil TBA
Flora’s Servant TBA

Ladies and gentlemen, friends of Violetta and Flora, matadors, picadors, gypsies, servants and masquers

Setting:In and around Paris, 1870s

PRODUCTION:
Conductor David Neely
Stage Director Lillian Groag
Associate Conductor Michael Spassov
Assistant Stage Director Daniel Witzke
Chorus Master Lisa Hasson
Musical Preparation Elden Little
Set Designer Robert Little
Costume Supervisor TBA
Lighting Designer Barry Steele
Make-Up/Hair Designer TBA
Costumes TBA
Choreographer TBA

Cast, production and opera are subject to change without notice

Synopsis

Act I
The opera opens at the home of courtesan Violetta Valéry, who is throwing a raucous party. One of the guests, Alfredo Germont, is introduced to Violetta and reveals that he has loved her from afar for some time, which Violetta laughs off before asking him to lead the party in a drinking song. The guests leave to dance, but Violetta is too weak due to her affliction with consumption, and Alfredo stays behind with her. Alfredo promises to love and care for her, but she makes clear that she only lives a life of pleasure. After he leaves, Violetta is somewhat overcome by his tenderness, but she resolves to stick with her earlier declarations.

Act II
Alfredo and Violetta have been living together happily in the countryside for three months. Alfredo discovers that Violetta has been selling her possessions in order to finance their household and he leaves for Paris to raise money. Germont, Alfredo’s father, arrives unexpectedly and asks Violetta to end her relationship with Alfredo since it jeopardizes his daughter’s upcoming marriage. Violetta eventually agrees and decides to return to her life as a courtesan. Alfredo returns and she reassures him of her love, even as she is departing for Paris. She leaves a note for Alfredo, informing him that she is returning to her former patron, Baron Douphol. Germont tries to reassure his distraught son, asking him to return to their home in Provence, but Alfredo vows revenge and leaves for Paris.

Act III
Alfredo arrives at a lively party thrown by Flora Bervoix, a close friend of Violetta’s. Violetta and the Baron soon appear, having reunited. The Baron challenges Alfredo to a card game and loses a great deal of money. Alfredo tries to get Violetta to leave the party with him, but she refuses. Angered, Alfredo summons the party guests and throws the money he has won at Violetta’s feet. The Baron challenges Alfredo to a duel.

Act IV
Violetta is mortally ill. Both Germont and Alfredo travel to Paris in order to see her, but Violetta wonders whether she will live until their arrival. Alfredo rushes in and they declare their mutual love. Alfredo begins to describe a new life he has planned for them away from Paris, but it is obvious that Violetta’s death is imminent. Violetta gives her portrait to Alfredo with the hope that he will think of her even after he finds someone else. After a final moment of strength, she dies.

*Scenery for this production is jointly produced and owned by Des Moines Metro Opera and Virginia Opera

Des Moines Metro Opera
106 West Boston Avenue, Indianola, IA 50125