Traviata, La, is a tragic opera in three acts by the Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi (see Verdi, Giuseppe ). Its title means The Wayward Woman. The libretto (text), in Italian, was written by the Italian author Francesco Maria Piave, who took as his source the novel and play La dame aux Camélias (The Lady of the Camellias) by the French author Alexandre Dumas fils. (see Dumas, Alexandre, fils ). The opera was first performed in Venice, Italy, on March 6, 1853.
The opera takes place in and near Paris in the mid-1800’s. It tells the story of a doomed love affair between Violetta, a courtesan who is dying of tuberculosis, and Alfredo, a young man of noble family. Verdi’s music is known for its rich melodies and beautiful choruses.
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La Traviata shocked many people when it was first performed because Violetta leads an immoral life. Although the opera failed dismally at its premiere, it has become one of the most frequently performed works.
See also Opera (Traviata, La) ; Verdi, Giuseppe .
