INFORMATION PRODUCTION
Title: La Traviata from Verdi – Scala di Milan – New production
Date: Tuesday 17th of November 2015
Format: DCP
Timing: to be defined by exhibitor
Event: Opera in 3 acts
Duration: 175min
Act I: 85 min
Interval : 20 min
Act II + III: 70 min
Sung in Italian
SYNOPSIS
Teaser: A world-famous opera
A must-have title for a cinema opera season
An opera in 3 acts by Guiseppe Verdi staged for the first time on 6 March 1853 at La Fenice
theatre to a libretto by Francesco Maria Piave, based on the novel by Alexandre Dumas, fils:
The Lady of the Camellias
We have Giuseppe Verdi to thank for the popularity of the Lady of the Camellias, the heroine
of the novel by Alexandre Dumas fils, inspired by the tragic destiny of a young courtesan. In
the opera La Traviata, the character of Marguerite Gautier becomes Violetta Valery.
Suffering from tuberculosis (a deadly illness in the early 19 th century), the courtesan escapes
her life as a Parisian socialite for her love for Alfredo Germont, a young man from a rich
family. She must give him up to avoid a family scandal.
La Traviata, is an ode to love and sacrifice produced by Dmitri Tcherniakov with the soprano
Diana Damrau, matchless in the role of the tragic Violetta. This character seems to have
been tailor-made for Damrau, who effortlessly puts her infinite vocal range and agility to
work. Cast with her, the tenor Piotr Beczala as Alfredo and Zeljko Lucic as his valiant father
Germont beg for her pardon.
DISTRIBUTION:
Conductor: Daniele Gatti,
Director: Dmitri Tcherniakov.
Violetta Valery: Diana Damrau
Flora Bervoix: Giuseppina Piunti
Annima: Mara Zampieri
Alfredo Germont: Piotr Beczala
Giorgio Germont: Željko Lučić
The orchestra and chorus of La Scala.
ARGUMENT
The story
“La Traviata” is without a doubt the finest musical marriage between France and Italy. It is
Giuseppe Verdi’s most popular opera!
The story unfolds in Paris in the 19th century and tells the story of the sad destiny of Violetta,
a touching courtesan who dies of tuberculosis after having sacrificed herself to save the
honour of her lover, Alfredo Germont.
The opera is packed with grand arias, which are in turn heroic, stirring or moving, such as
Violetta’s unforgettable “Addio del passato” or the mysterious Bacchanale chorus in act III.
Act 1
Violetta Valéry, a courtesan admired by all, is giving a society event in her apartments.
During the evening, one of the regular guests introduces her to Alfredo Germont, a young
man who seems to show a deep interest in the mistress of the house. Proposing a toast,
Alfredo seizes the opportunity to flatter Violetta, and they all drink to pleasure and love.
Suddenly feeling unwell, Violetta asks to be left alone. While the guests are invited to dance
in the adjoining room, Alfredo takes the opportunity to declare his love to Violetta. Touched,
but disenchanted nevertheless, Violetta begs Alfredo to leave and gives him a camellia
flower which he must bring back to her once wilted.
Now alone, Violetta accepts that she is troubled by this young man who reawakens a shiver
of happiness that she never expected to feel again. However, she sharply returns to reality
and her position as a woman of the world, free, frivolous and hedonistic…
Act 2
Scene 1:
Violetta has admitted the strength of her love for Alfredo and is now living with him in her
country house. Learning from Annina, the maid, that Violetta is selling her jewels to cover
the couple’s expenditures, Alfredo decides to go to Paris to find the money they need.
Giorgio Germont, Alfredo’s father, takes advantage of his son’s absence to visit Violetta.
Accusing her of bringing dishonour on his son and the entire family, he asks Violetta to give
up on her love for Alfredo. Understanding that her past has once again caught up with her,
Violetta, heartbroken, gives in and sacrifices herself in the name of the one that she loves.
While she prepares to write two letters – one that will mark a return to her former life, and
one that will end her current relationship – Alfredo arrives. Deeply troubled, Violetta
expresses the extent of her love for the last time before saying her goodbyes. Violetta
leaves, calling out: “Love me Alfredo, love me as I love you”. Discovering Violetta’s letter,
Alfredo cries out with despair, pushing his father and his advice aside and promising to get
revenge…
Scene 2:
A party is in full swing at the home of Flora Bervoix, Violetta’s friend. Alfredo bursts in. Flora
is surprised to see him alone, but then Violetta arrives, accompanied by Baron Douphol.
Alfredo only has one wish: to get revenge. He plays cards with the baron and wins a large
sum of money. Violetta is torn between a desire and the promise she made to Germont. She
ends up pretending that she loves Douphol. Furious, Alfredo throws the money he has won
in Violetta’s face before all of the guests, “paying” her for his three months of love. Violetta
faints and the baron challenges Alfredo to a duel. Germont, who has followed his son,
chastises him for insulting a woman in such a way.
Act 3
Violetta, suffering more than ever has been abandoned by everyone. Only Annina has
remained faithful to her. While outside Paris beats to the rhythm of Carnival, the doctor, on
his daily house call, tells the maid that Violetta only has a few hours to live. Violetta rereads
Germont’s letter, in which he tells her he has revealed everything to Alfredo and announces
that Alfredo will be with her soon.
Alfredo finally arrives and asks for Violetta’s forgiveness. Renewing their vows of love, the
two lovers are already planning to leave Paris and live together in the happiness that was
torn from them. While Germont begs Violetta’s forgiveness, she implores Alfredo to never
forget her. A last surge of life seems to revive her, before she suddenly drops down, dead.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS PRODUCTION // INFORMATION FOR THE AUDIENCE
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One of opera’s most beloved and popular titles
Whether you are crazy about opera, or indifferent to this particular art form, you cannot
ignore La Traviata, Verdi’s most sublime composition. Verdi always strove to move his
listeners, whatever their culture, nationality or social status.
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Diana Damrau – One of the best contemporary Violettas
The other attraction of this Verdi opera is its vocal interest. Diana Damrau, the soprano,
literally triumphs in the role of Violetta, so much so that the press gave her rave reviews,
noting in particular an “unequalled intelligence” and a “faultless veracity”.
“Anyone who thinks of a German soprano virtuoso will now think of Diana Damrau”.
Impeccable technique, grace and clarity of timbre are her strong points. The singer shows
herself to be capable of injecting irresistible sympathy into the part, thanks to her slightly
whimsical personality.
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An opera that is accessible to everyone
Three short, dense acts superbly put together and without the slightest excess, perfectly
structured.
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A universal theme: love
“It is Verdi and his Traviata that gave style to The Lady of the Camellias.” Marcel Proust
COMMUNICATION ASSETS
 Posters (print/web)
 Trailer
 Argument – cast sheet