Verdi: La Traviata
Music- Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901)
Libretto- Francesco Maria Piave
Premiere- La Fenice, Venice (1853)
Setting- Paris, about 1850
Principal Roles:
Violetta Valery, Alfredo Germont, Giorgio Germont
Synopsis:
After a brief orchestral prelude, Act 1 begins at one of Violetta’s brilliant supper parties. The beautiful but frail demi-mondaine meets the well-born Alfredo Germont, and he convinces her to abandon her shallow life of pleasure. In Act 2, Alfredo’s father Giorgio Germont, intrudes on their idyllic existence in the country and although realizing her sincerity, persists in his demand that Violetta renounce Alfredo. Violetta determines to make the sacrifice and departs, leaving only a note for Alfredo. She appears at a ball at friend Flora’s house on the arm of an old admirer, Baron Douphol, to the fury of Alfredo. The two men play at cards and Alfredo wins consistently. Unable to persuade Violetta to go with him, Alfredo insults her and is then challenged by the Baron. As Act 3 begins, we find Violetta extremely ill, all her friends have deserted her, and she is virtually penniless. Alfredo at last returns. His father has told him of Violetta’s noble sacrifice and urges him to seek her forgiveness. Overjoyed at the sight of him, Violetta is briefly restored but it is too late. As the Germont and the doctor enter, Violetta dies in Alfredo’s arms.
YouTube Video Links:
LA Opera Production, 2006, Fleming, Villazon (English Subtitles)
ACT I-
[10:00-13:05] Alfredo & ensemble brindisi “Libiamo ne’lieti calici”
[22:45-33:10] Violetta Scena “Ah, fors’e lui” & “Sempre libera”
ACT 2-
[1:08:40-1:12:52] Germont’s aria “Di Provenza il mar”
[1:27:44-1:38:30] Violetta & Alfredo, then ensemble finale
ACT 3-
[2:06:15-2:12:25] Violetta & Alfredo, Germont, Annina & Dr. Grenville, finale
Terminology:
prelude
Demi-mondaine
brindisi
comprimario
Scena
cabaletta
Verdi baritone
finale di Concertante
tenore robusto
leitmotif
Verdi: Othello
Music- Giuseppe Verdi
Libretto- Arrigo Boito
Premiere- La Scala, Milan (1887)
Setting- Cyprus, late 15th century
Principal Roles:
Otello, Desdemona, Iago
Synopsis:
Otello, a Moor, governor of Cyprus, is welcomed back from a war with the Turks by his bride, Desdemona, and the citizens of Cyprus. Iago, his ensign is jealous and bitterly angry that Otello has promoted another officer, Cassio. Iago proceeds to arouse Otello’s jealousy by making him suspicious of his wife and Cassio, who he says has dreamed about Desdemona. Further, he claims to have seen Desdemona’s wedding handkerchief in Cassio’s hands. Otello falls prey to Iago’s maneuvering and is convinced of his wife’s guilt. He insults her in front of the visiting ambassador from Venice. Later he strangles her in her bed but then learns from the horrified Emilia, Desdemona’s maid & Iago’s wife, that his wife is innocent. The opera concludes when he stabs himself and dies at her side.
YouTube Links:
ACT I-
[2:20-8:46] Opening ensemble
[23:45-32:45] Otello & Desdemona, love scene
ACT2-
[1:01:00-1:06:00]- Otello & Iago, act finale
ACT 4-
[1:59:35-1:59:57] Desdemona aria “Ave Maria”
[2:10:00-2:15:50] Otello & ensemble finale
Recommended operas for further study:
Early Period-
Nabucco
Ernani
Macbeth
Middle Period-
Rigoletto
Il Trovatore
Un Ballo in maschera
La Forza del destino
Late Period-
Don Carlo
Aida
Falstaff