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| | Arts Calendar / October 22 / Opera |
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 Opera in three acts (performs with one intermission) by Giuseppe Verdi. Libretto by Francesco Maria Piave based on "La Dame aux camélias." Stage Director: Dmitry Bertman. Music Director, Conductor: Alexander Sladkovsky. During Verdi’s lifetime La traviata was one of the most frequently performed of all operas, and it has continued to be through to the present. The opera was originally titled Violetta, after the main character. It was first performed on 6 March 1853 at the La Fenice opera house in Venice. Piave and Verdi wanted to follow Dumas in giving the opera a contemporary setting, but the authorities at La Fenice insisted that it be set in the past, "c. 1700". It was not until the 1880s that the composer's and librettist's original wishes were carried out and "realistic" productions were staged. La Traviata is the story of a lively Parisian courtesan who gives up the man she loves to save his family’s reputation. Perhaps this is the greatest theme of La Traviata; self-sacrifice. The opera is a touching story, not just because it is a story people can believe in, but because it is a story people want to believe in. It encourages the ideal that it is possible to experience the joy of a pure, redemptive love. The story shows that it is possible – no matter what hurt and offence has been caused – to right wrongs by sacrifice to the greatest good.
Helikon Opera  |
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