"La Traviata" presented by Fort Worth Opera

LA TRAVIATA
program

The Travelling Toe decided to add some culture to her life and attended the Sunday afternoon performance of "La Traviata", presented by the Fort Worth Opera.

Giuseppe Verdi complete this opera in 1853.  It is based on a play he had seen in Paris that was written by Alexandre Dumas (the son of the famous author of the same name), called "La Dame aux Camelias". 

Giuseppe Verdi

Alexandre Dumas

Does the name sound familiar?   Perhaps you saw the 1936 black and white movie titled "Camille" staring Greta Garbo and Robert Taylor.

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  Camille
  1936 movie

So here is the story line in a nut shell.   Famous Parisian party girl, Violetta, loves to have fun and excitement in her life, but she is hiding a secret...she is gravely ill.   One night at a party, she meets a young man, Alfredo, and they are instantly attracted to each other.  Alfredo persuades Violetta to leave Paris and move to a country estate with him.   At the estate, Alfredo learns that Violetta's maid has been travelling to Paris to sell her possessions in order to pay their bills. Violetta does not want to live off Alfredo's money.   When Alfredo goes to reclaim her possessions, his father arrives at the country estate and begs Violetta to leave Alfredo.  If she does not then their family's reputation will be tarnished by her scandalous lifestyle.  She does not want to leave Alfredo but knows that  she must.   Violetta leaves the happiness she has come to know at the country estate and with Alfredo.  She leaves a good-by note for Alfredo and returns to Paris.

When Alfredo finds out she has left, he follows her to Paris.  When he finds her with another man, he throws money at her feet to re-pay her for what she spent on him.   Violetta is crushed by his actions, becomes ill, and faints.   The guests throw Alfredo out of the party due to his poor treatment of Violetta.

In the final act, Violetta, near death, calls out for Alfredo.   He and his father finally arrive and both beg for her forgiveness.  

So dear readers, if you have been to an opera before, you know what happens and for those of you who have not...the party girl coughs and then dies.  The curtain falls.

Rachelle  Durkin played Violetta and Patrick  O'Halloran was Alfredo.

Rachelle Durkin

Patrick O'Halloran

The stage setting was amazing as you could almost feel yourself drawn into a Parisian house party along with all the other guests.  Additionally, the costumes were just lovely too and reflected the time period of the opera debut.  

The Travelling Toe may not be an opera critic extraordinaire,  therefore she is free to simply enjoy a wonderful production without too much of a critical eye.



Disclaimer:  The Travelling Toe is not a professional opera critic an any opinions expressed are for entertainment purposes only.