Operas by Giuseppe Verdi
Oberto, Conte di San Bonifacio (1839) Un giorno di regno (1840) Nabucco (1842) I Lombardi alla prima crociata (1843) Ernani (1844) I due Foscari (1844) Giovanna d'Arco (1845) Alzira (1845) Attila (1846) Macbeth (1847) I masnadieri (1847) Jérusalem (1847) Il corsaro (1848) La battaglia di Legnano (1849) Luisa Miller (1849) Stiffelio (1850) Rigoletto (1851) Il trovatore (1853) La traviata (1853) Les vêpres siciliennes (1855) Simon Boccanegra (1857) Aroldo (1857) Un ballo in maschera (1859) La forza del destino (1862) Don Carlos (1867) Aida (1871) Otello (1887) Falstaff (1893) “Verdi” redirects here. ... Image File history File linksMetadata No higher resolution available. ... Oberto, Conte di San Bonifacio is an opera in two acts by Giuseppe Verdi to an Italian libretto by Temistocle Solera, based on a libretto by Antonio Piazza. ... Un giorno di regno, ossia il finto Stanislao (A One-Day Reign, or the false Stanislas) is an opera in two acts by Giuseppe Verdi to an Italian libretto by Felice Romani, based on the play Le faux Stanislas by Alexandre Vincent Pineu-Duval. ... Nabucco is an opera in four acts by Giuseppe Verdi to an Italian libretto by Temistocle Solera, based on the biblical story and the play by Anicet-Bourgeois and Francis Cornu. ... I Lombardi alla prima crociata (The Lombards on the First Crusade) is an opera in four acts by Giuseppe Verdi to an Italian libretto by Temistocle Solera, based epic poem by Tommaso Grossi. ... Ernani is an operatic dramma lirico in four acts by Giuseppe Verdi to an Italian libretto by Francesco Maria Piave, based on the play Hernani by Victor Hugo. ... I due Foscari (The Two Foscaris) is an opera in three acts by Giuseppe Verdi to an Italian libretto by Francesco Maria Piave, based on a historical play The Two Foscari by Lord Byron. ... Giovanna dArco (Joan of Arc) is an opera with a prelude and three acts by Giuseppe Verdi to an Italian libretto by Temistocle Solera, based on the play Die Jungfrau von Orleans by Friedrich von Schiller. ... Alzira is an opera in a prologue and two acts by Giuseppe Verdi to an Italian libretto by Salvatore Cammarano, based on the play Alzire, ou les Américains by Voltaire. ... Attila is an opera in three acts by Giuseppe Verdi to an Italian libretto by Temistocle Solera, based on the play Attila, König der Hunnen by Zacharias Werner. ... For other uses, see Macbeth (disambiguation). ... I masnadieri (The Bandits) is an opera in four acts by Giuseppe Verdi to an Italian libretto by Andrei Maffei, based on Die Räuber by Friedrich von Schiller. ... Jérusalem is an opera in four acts by Giuseppe Verdi to a French libretto by Alphonse Royer and Gustave Vaëz. ... Il corsaro (The Corsair) is an opera in three acts by Giuseppe Verdi, from a libretto by Francesco Maria Piave, based on Lord Byrons poem The Corsair. ... La battaglia di Legnano (The battle of Legnano) is an Opera in four acts by Giuseppe Verdi from Italian libretto by Salvatore Cammarano, based on play La Battaille de Toulouse by Joseph Méry. ... Luisa Miller is an opera in three acts by Giuseppe Verdi to an Italian libretto by Salvatore Cammarano, based on the play Kabale und Liebe by Friedrich von Schiller. ... Stiffelio is an opera in three acts by Giuseppe Verdi, from an Italian libretto by Francesco Maria Piave, based on the play Le Pasteur, ou lÉvangile et le Foyer by Émile Souvestre and Eugène Bourgeois. ... Giuseppe Verdi, by Giovanni Boldini, 1886 (National Gallery of Modern Art, Rome) Rigoletto is an opera in four acts by Giuseppe Verdi. ... Il trovatore (The Troubadour) is an opera in four acts by Giuseppe Verdi to an Italian libretto by Leone Emanuele Bardare and Salvatore Cammarano, based on the play El Trobador by Antonio García Gutiérrez. ... Les vêpres siciliennes (The Sicilian Vespers) is an opera in five acts by Giuseppe Verdi set to a French libretto by Charles Duveyrier and Eugène Scribe from their work Le duc dAlbe. ... Simon Boccanegra is an opera with a prologue and three acts by Giuseppe Verdi to an Italian libretto by Francesco Maria Piave, based on the play Simón Bocanegra by Antonio García Gutiérrez. ... Aroldo is an opera in four acts by Giuseppe Verdi to an Italian libretto by Francesco Maria Piave, based on their earlier colaboration, Stiffelio. ... Un ballo in maschera, or A Masked Ball, is an opera in three acts by Giuseppe Verdi with text by Antonio Somma. ... La forza del destino (The Force of Destiny) is an Italian opera by Giuseppe Verdi. ... This article refers to the opera Don Carlos by Giuseppe Verdi (and its revised Italian version, known as Don Carlo). ... This article is about the opera. ... For the Rossini opera, see Otello (Rossini) or for the eurobeat artist see Gianni Coraini. ... For other uses, see Falstaff (disambiguation). ...
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La traviata is an opera in three acts by Giuseppe Verdi set to an Italian libretto by Francesco Maria Piave. It takes as its basis the novel La dame aux Camélias by Alexandre Dumas, fils, published in 1848. It was first performed at the Teatro la Fenice in Venice, on March 6, 1853. The title "La traviata" means literally The Woman Who Strayed, or perhaps more figuratively, The Fallen One. 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. It was some years before the composer's and librettist's original wishes were carried out. For other uses, see Opera (disambiguation). ... “Verdi” redirects here. ... Antonio Ghislanzoni, nineteenth century Italian librettist. ... Francesco Maria Piave Francesco Maria Piave (18 May 1810 – 5 March 1876) was an Italian librettist who was Verdis life-long friend and collaborator. ... The Lady of the Camellias (French: La Dame aux Camélias) is a novel by Alexandre Dumas, fils, first published in 1848. ... Alexandre Dumas, fils (July 27, 1824 – November 27, 1895) was the son of Alexandre Dumas, père, who followed in his fathers footsteps becoming a celebrated author and playwright. ... Year 1848 (MDCCCXLVIII) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian Calendar (or a leap year starting on Monday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... Teatro La Fenice (the phoenix) is an opera house in Venice, Italy. ... For other uses, see Venice (disambiguation). ... is the 65th day of the year (66th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1853 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ...

However, the opera has become immensely popular and a staple of the standard operatic repertoire. It is third on Opera America's list of the 20 most-performed operas in North America^[1], behind only Madama Butterfly and La bohème. Opera America, officially OPERA America, is a service organization in North America promoting the creation, presentation, and enjoyment of opera. ... Madama Butterfly (Madame Butterfly) is an opera in three acts (originally two acts) by Giacomo Puccini, with an Italian libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa. ... For other uses, see La bohème (disambiguation). ...

Roles

This article is about the voice-type. ... This article is about Tenor vocalists in music. ... For other uses, see Baritone (disambiguation). ... Portrait of Felice Varesi by Joseph Kriehuber Felice Varesi (born Calais, 1813 - died Milan 13 March 1889) was an Italian baritone. ... A mezzo-soprano (meaning medium soprano in Italian) is a female singer with a range usually extending from the A below middle C to the F an eleventh above middle C. Mezzo-sopranos generally have a darker (or lower) vocal tone than sopranos, and their vocal range is between that... A bass (or basso in Italian) is a male singer who sings in the deepest vocal range of the human voice. ...

Synopsis

A summary of the plot of La traviata is detailed below. ^[3]

Place: Paris and vicinity.

Time: about 1700. (Many modern producers of La traviata set the opera in the 19th century.)

This article is about the capital of France. ... Events January 1 - Russia accepts Julian calendar. ...

Act I

The salon in Violetta's house

Violetta Valery, a famed courtesan, throws a lavish party at her Paris salon to celebrate her recovery from an illness. Gastone, a count, has brought with him his friend, the young nobleman Alfredo Germont, who has long adored Violetta from afar. While walking to the salon, Gastone tells Violetta that Alfredo loves her so much and, while she was ill, he came by her house every day. Alfredo joins them, admitting the truth of Gastone's remarks. Violetta replies to Alfredo, "I’m indebted to you". A courtesan in mid-16th century usage was a high-class prostitute or mistress, especially one associated with rich, powerful, or upper-class men who provided luxuries and status in exchange for her services. ... A Salon of Ladies by Abraham Bosse A salon is a gathering of people under the roof of an inspiring hostess or host, partly to amuse one another and partly to refine their taste and increase their knowledge through conversation and readings, often consciously following Horaces definition of the...

The Baron waits not far from them to escort Violetta to the salon, but she walks to him saying, "You, Baron, never cared as much". The Baron replies, "I have just known you for a year". Violetta glares at Alfredo and says, "He just met me a minute ago!". At the salon, the Baron is asked to give a toast, but he refuses and the crowd turns to Alfredo (Alfredo, Violetta, chorus: Libiamo ne' lieti calici – "Drinking song"). Libiamo nelieti calici (Drinking Song) is the most famous aria from Verdis La Traviata, perhaps one of the most known fragments of opera around the world, and an obligatory performance (as this opera itself) for any great tenor. ...

From the next room, the orchestra begins to play and the guests move there to dance. Violetta feels dizzy and asks the guests to go ahead and to leave her to rest for a while to recover. The Baron leaves her alone. The guests dance in the next room, while Violetta looks at her face in her mirror. She looks pale. Alfredo enters and he expresses his concern for her fragile health and later declares his love for her (Alfredo, Violetta: Un di, felice, eterea – "The day I met you"). Un di, felice, eterea is a duet from Giuseppe Verdis opera La Traviata. ...

At first Violetta rejects him because his love means nothing to her. However, there is something about Alfredo that touches her heart. Alfredo is about to leave when she gives him a flower, telling him to return it when it has wilted. She promises to meet him the next day.

After the guests leave, Violetta wonders if Alfredo could actually be the one in her life (Violetta : Ah, fors'è lui – "Perhaps he is the one"). But she concludes that she needs freedom to live her life (Violetta : Sempre libera – "Always free"). From off stage, Alfredo's voice is heard singing about love as he walks down the street.

Act II

Scene 1

Violetta ‘s country house outside Paris

Three months later, Alfredo and Violetta are living together in a peaceful country house outside Paris. Violetta has fallen in love with Alfredo and she has completely abandoned her former life. Alfredo sings of their happy life together (Alfredo: Di miei bollenti spiriti - "Wild my dream of ecstasy"). Annina, the maid, arrives from Paris, and, when questioned by Alfredo, she tells him that she went there to sell the horses, carriages and everything owned by Violetta to support their country lifestyle.

Alfredo is shocked to learn this and leaves for Paris immediately to settle matters himself. Violetta returns home and receives an invitation from her friend, Flora, inviting her to a party in Paris. Alfredo’s father, Germont, is announced and demands that, for the sake of his family,she break off her relationship with his son. He is reluctantly impressed by Violetta’s nobility, which is not what he expected from a courtesan. Germont reveals that Violetta’s relationship with Alfredo has threatened his daughter’s engagement (Germont: Pura siccome un angelo – "I have a daughter as pure as an angel") because of Violetta's reputation as a courtesan . While she says that she cannot break off her relationship with Alfredo because she loves him so much, Germont pleads with her for the sake of his family. With growing remorse in her heart, she finally agrees (Violetta, Germont : Dite alla giovine – "Say to this child of thine"). She bids farewell to Germont. Germont kisses her forehead in a gesture of gratitude for her kindness and sacrifice, before leaving her weeping alone.

Violetta gives a note to Annina to send to Flora as acceptance of the party invitation. While writing a farewell letter to Alfredo, he enters. She can barely control her sadness and tears; she tells him repeatedly of her unconditional love before rushing out and handing the farewell letter to her servant to give to Alfredo.

The servant gives the farewell letter to Alfredo. As soon as he finishes reading it, Germont comes in and attempts to comfort his son, reminding him of his family in Provence (Germont : Di Provenza il mar - "In Provence"). Alfredo suspects the Baron is behind his separation with Violetta and the party invitation, which he finds on the desk, strengthens his suspicions. He determines to confront Violetta at the party. Germont tries to stop Alfredo, but he rushes out.

Scene 2

Party at Flora’s house

At the party, the Marquis tells Flora that Violetta and Alfredo have separated. She calls for the entertainers to perform for the guests (Chorus: Noi siamo zingarelle - "We’re gypsies gay and youthful"); (Chorus: Di Madride noi siam mattadori – "We are bullfighters from Madrid"). Gastone and his friends join the matadors and sing (Gastone, chorus, dancers: E Piquillo, un bel gagliardo - "Twas Piquillo, so young and so daring").

Violetta arrives with Baron Douphol. They see Alfredo at the gambling table, and upon seeing them, Alfredo creates a big scene about his winning. The Baron feels annoyed. He goes to the gambling table and challenges him. Alfredo wins some large sums of money from the Baron until Floria announces that the supper is ready. Alfredo leaves with handfuls of money.

Everyone goes in to supper, but Violetta has asked Alfredo to see her. Fear that the Baron's anger will lead him to challenge Alfredo to a duel, she gently asks Alfredo to leave. Alfredo misunderstands her apprehension and demands that she admit that she loves the Baron. In grief, she does so. Her confession makes Alfredo furious and he calls the guests to witness what he has to say. Alfredo humiliates and denounces Violetta in front of the guests, and then throws his winnings at her for her "services" while they lived together (Questa donna conoscete?). She falls, fainting onto the floor. The guests reprimand Alfredo: "Leave at once, we despise you. You have insulted a noble lady".

In search of his son, Germont enters the hall. Knowing the real significance of the scene, he denounces his son's behavior (Germont, Alfredo, Violetta, chorus: Di sprezzo degno, se stesso rendo - "Worthy of contempt is the man").

Flora and the ladies attempt to persuade Violetta to leave the dining room, but, before doing so, Violetta turns to Alfredo and sings, Alfredo, Alfredo, di questo core non puoi comprendere tutto l’amore - "Alfredo, Alfredo, little canst thou fathom the love within my heart for thee".

Act III

In Violetta’s bedroom

Dr. Grenvil tells Annina that Violetta will not live long as her tuberculosis has worsened. Alone in her room, Violetta reads a letter sent by Alfredo’s father saying the Baron was only wounded in his duel with Alfredo. The letter also states that he has informed Alfredo of the sacrifice Violetta made for him and his sister; and that he is sending his son to see her as quickly as possible to ask for her forgiveness. But Violetta senses it is too late (Violetta: Addio del passato – "So closes my sad story").

Annina rushes in the room to tell Violetta of the arrival of Alfredo. The lovers are reunited. Alfredo suggests that they leave Paris (Alfredo, Violetta: Parigi, o cara , noi lasceremo – "Dearest, we’ll leave Paris" ).

But it is too late; she knows her time is up (Alfredo, Violetta: Gran Dio! morir si giovane - "O, God! to die so young"). The old Germont enters (Ah, Violetta) with the doctor. He regrets what he has done. Shortly after Violetta dies in Alfredo’s arms.

Selected recordings

Note: "Cat:" is short for catalogue number by the label company; "ASIN" is amazon.com product reference number. Maria Callas in a casual moment, 1960s Maria Callas (Greek: Μαρία Κάλλας) (December 2, 1923 – September 16, 1977) was an American born, Greek dramatic coloratura soprano and perhaps the best-known opera singer of the post-World War II period. ... The Italian tenor Giuseppe Di Stefano (born 24 July 1921) is a famous opera singer whose career spanned from the late 1940s to the early 1970s. ... Ettore Bastianini (September 24, 1922–January 25, 1967) was an Italian opera singer who began his professional career as a bass, then earned worldwide acclaim as a baritone, particularly in Verdi roles, before dying of throat cancer at the age of forty-four. ... Carlo Maria Giulini (May 9, 1914 – June 14, 2005) was an Italian conductor, and violist. ... The Teatro alla Scala in Milan, by night. ... EMI Classics is a record label of EMI. It was formed in 1990 in order to reduce the need to create country-specific packaging and catalogs for internationally distributed classical music releases. ... Maria Callas in a casual moment, 1960s Maria Callas (Greek: Μαρία Κάλλας) (December 2, 1923 – September 16, 1977) was an American born, Greek dramatic coloratura soprano and perhaps the best-known opera singer of the post-World War II period. ... Alfredo Kraus Trujillo (24 September 1927–10 September 1999) was a Spanish tenor of Austrian descent, and considered among the legendary tenors of the 20th century along with others like Plácido Domingo, Franco Corelli, Jussi Björling, José Carreras, Jon Vickers and Luciano Pavarotti. ... Main façade of the Teatro. ... EMI Classics is a record label of EMI. It was formed in 1990 in order to reduce the need to create country-specific packaging and catalogs for internationally distributed classical music releases. ... Dame Joan Sutherland OM, AC, DBE (born November 7, 1926) is an Australian dramatic coloratura soprano noted for her contribution to the bel canto revival of the 1950s and 1960s. ... The Italian singer Carlo Bergonzi (born 13 July 1924) is one of the most admired tenors of the post-war period. ... Robert Merrill (June 4, 1917 – October 23, 2004) was an American opera baritone. ... Sir John Michael Pritchard (February 5, 1921 - December 5, 1969) was an English conductor. ... Maggio Musicale Fiorentino is an annual opera festival which was founded in April 1933 by conductor Vittorio Gui with the aim of presenting contemporary and forgotten operas in visually dramatic productions. ... It has been suggested that Decca Music Group be merged into this article or section. ... Montserrat Caballé Maria de Montserrat Viviana Concepción Caballé i Folc, better known as Montserrat Caballé (born April 12, 1933), is a Catalan Spanish operatic soprano renowned for her bel canto technique and her interpretations of the roles of Rossini, Bellini, and Donizetti. ... The Italian singer Carlo Bergonzi (born 13 July 1924) is one of the most admired tenors of the post-war period. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Georges Prêtre (born August 14, 1924) is a French conductor. ... RCA, formerly an acronym for the Radio Corporation of America, is now a trademark owned by Thomson SA through RCA Trademark Management S.A., a company owned by Thomson. ... The title given to this article is incorrect due to technical limitations. ... Plácido Domingo José Plácido Domingo Embil KBE (born January 21, 1941)[1] better known as Plácido Domingo, is a world-renowned operatic tenor. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Carlos Kleiber (July 3, 1930 - July 13, 2004) was a German-born conductor. ... Categories: Stub | Opera companies ... Logo Deutsche Grammophon is a German record label. ... Dame Joan Sutherland OM, AC, DBE (born November 7, 1926) is an Australian dramatic coloratura soprano noted for her contribution to the bel canto revival of the 1950s and 1960s. ... Luciano Pavarotti performing on June 15, 2002 at a concert in the Stade Vélodrome in Marseille Luciano Pavarotti, Cavaliere di Gran Croce OMRI[1] (October 12, 1935 – September 6, 2007) was a celebrated Italian tenor in operatic music, who successfully crossed into popular music becoming one of the most... Richard Bonynge (born September 29, 1930) is an Australian conductor. ... The National Philharmonic Orchestra is a British orchestra created exclusively for recording purposes. ... It has been suggested that Decca Music Group be merged into this article or section. ... Teresa Stratas (b. ... Plácido Domingo José Plácido Domingo Embil KBE (born January 21, 1941)[1] better known as Plácido Domingo, is a world-renowned operatic tenor. ... Cornell MacNeil (born 24 September 1922 in Minneapolis, Minnesota) is an operatic baritone known for his voice and his career with the Metropolitan Opera often singing Verdi. ... James Levine (born June 23, 1943 in Cincinnati, Ohio) is an American orchestral pianist and conductor and most well known as the music director of the Metropolitan Opera in New York. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, the lead section of this article may need to be expanded. ... This article is about the American media conglomerate. ... Cheryl Studer, (born October 24, 1955) American soprano, was born in Midland, Michigan. ... Luciano Pavarotti performing on June 15, 2002 at a concert in the Stade Vélodrome in Marseille Luciano Pavarotti, Cavaliere di Gran Croce OMRI[1] (October 12, 1935 – September 6, 2007) was a celebrated Italian tenor in operatic music, who successfully crossed into popular music becoming one of the most... Joan Pons Álvarez (Ciutadella, Spain, August 8, 1946), Spanish dramatic baritone. ... James Levine (born June 23, 1943 in Cincinnati, Ohio) is an American orchestral pianist and conductor and most well known as the music director of the Metropolitan Opera in New York. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, the lead section of this article may need to be expanded. ... Logo Deutsche Grammophon is a German record label. ... Dame Kiri Janette Te Kanawa IPA: , ONZ, AC, DBE, (born March 6, 1944) is an internationally famous New Zealand opera singer. ... Alfredo Kraus Trujillo (24 September 1927–10 September 1999) was a Spanish tenor of Austrian descent, and considered among the legendary tenors of the 20th century along with others like Plácido Domingo, Franco Corelli, Jussi Björling, José Carreras, Jon Vickers and Luciano Pavarotti. ... Dmitri Aleksandrovich Hvorostovsky (Russian: , born October 16, 1962), is a top baritone opera singer from Russia. ... Zubin Mehta (b. ... Maggio Musicale Fiorentino is an annual opera festival which was founded in April 1933 by conductor Vittorio Gui with the aim of presenting contemporary and forgotten operas in visually dramatic productions. ... PolyGram was the name from 1972 of the major label recording company started by Philips as a holding company for its music interests in 1945. ... The Russian soprano Anna Netrebko (born 18 September 1971) is a well-known opera singer. ... Rolando Villazón Mauleón is a Mexican tenor born in Mexico City on 22 February 1972. ... Carlo Rizzi is a fictional a character in Mario Puzos The Godfather. ... The Vienna Philharmonic (in German: Wiener Philharmoniker) is an orchestra in Austria, regularly considered as one of the finest in the world. ... Logo Deutsche Grammophon is a German record label. ...

Films and other versions

• Various versions of the movie Camille were also adapted from the same novel.
• La traviata is the opera featured in the 1990 romantic comedy Pretty Woman starring Richard Gere and Julia Roberts. The stories of the opera and film have obvious parallels, as both involve respectable men who fall in love with prostitutes and wrestle with the challenges of "rescuing" the women from their profession.
• The film Moulin Rouge! has some of the same plot elements as "La Traviata", as well as some from La bohème.

Camille is the name of several films based on the 1852 novel and play La Dame aux camélias by Alexandre Dumas, fils. ... Pretty Woman is a 1990 American romantic comedy motion picture. ... Richard Tiffany Gere[1] (born August 31, 1949) is an American actor. ... Julia Fiona Roberts (born October 28, 1967) is an Academy Award-winning American film actress and former fashion model. ... Moulin Rouge is a 2001 Academy Award-winning jukebox musical film directed by Baz Luhrmann. ... For other uses, see La bohème (disambiguation). ...

Notes

References

• The Opera Goer's Complete Guide by Leo Melitz, 1921 version.

External links

• Ah! Fors' é Lui, available at Project Gutenberg.: A public domain mp3 recording.
• Vocal score at VARIATIONS: Public domain vocal score (scanned from an 1899 edition)
• Orchestra score at VARIATIONS: Public domain orchestra score (scanned from an old edition)
• La Traviata MP3 Recording with Creative Commons License
• Recommended recordings
• Libretto
• Libretto and its translation
• Aria database