Leah's Post!

Hey Everyone! This is Leah, and this is my first ever blog post of any kind! I want to tell you a little more about the opera I am in, La Traviata. It features Violetta Valery (my character), a famous courtesan, who, in Act I, is hosting a party, at which she meets Alfredo Germont. She learns that in the past several months (during which she had been very sick), Alfredo came to her house every day to inquire after her health. Violetta is struck by this new feeling inside of her... to actually be loved by someone whom she loves!

Act II, scene 1 finds Alfredo and Violetta living at his country house outside of Paris. Alfredo learns from the maid that Violetta is selling all of her possessions in order to keep their luxurious way of living. He leaves for Paris to solve this problem, and Violetta enters. She is expecting a businessman to arrive, but he who enters is a different kind of businessman than what she was expecting. It is Alfredo's father, who is irate at his son's behavior in living with a woman to whom he is not married, much less a "fallen woman". Giorgio Germont tells Violetta that he has a daughter whose anticipated marriage has been compromised by her brother Alfredo's conduct. Germont asks Violetta to leave Alfredo for the sake of his family and their happiness, and a brokenhearted Violetta agrees. After writing Alfredo a letter of explanation, telling him that she loves the Baron Duphol, and has returned to her life in Paris. Alfredo returns to the house to find the letter and his father waiting for him. After reading the letter, and hearing his father's persuasive words, Alfredo once again takes off to Paris to find Violetta and "pay her back".

Act II, scene 2 is set at a party at Violetta's friend Flora's salon in Paris (the pictures you see are from Act II). Alfredo enters without Violetta, much to everyone's surprise, and begins gambling, winning every match. Violetta enters on the Baron's arm, but is ordered by the Baron not to speak a word to Alfredo. However, after a tense game between the Baron and Alfredo, Violetta pulls Alfredo aside and begs him to leave, fearing for his life. Alfredo spurns Violetta's concern, and calls the rest of the party to attention. He declares that he will repay Violetta for all of her "services" to him, and throws at Violetta the entire sum he has won that night. Violetta falls to the ground, heartbroken at such insult and untrue statements. Alfredo's father enters, and states how ashamed he is that his son would treat any woman as he did (Germont now realizes how selfless Violetta has been). The Act ends with a tremendous quartet between Alfredo, Germont, Violetta, and the chorus. The video at the bottom of this post is of the last minute or so of that quartet.

Act III opens, and Violetta is at her home in Paris. She is dying of consumption (as you might come to expect from any opera herione...heehee), and doesn't have long to live. Her doctor, a dear friend, comes in, but as he tells the maid, there is no hope but for a few more hours for Violetta. Soon after the Doctor leaves, however, the maid enters and excitedly tells Violetta that she has a most wonderful surprise for her--Alfredo has come at last! Alfredo rushes in, and of course, they sing a wonderful love duet, with Alfredo apologizing for his absence and Violetta saying that there is nothing to forgive, and both sing of their future life together in Paris. After the duet has concluded, Violetta wants to get up, get dressed, and go out and celebrate Alfredo's return, but is too weak. Giorgio Germont enters and is stunned at the physical changes he sees in Violetta, not having realized until now that she is actually dying. Violetta gives Alfredo a small portrait of her, asking him to not forget the woman who loved him so much; she also tells him that if ever a young woman should give him her heart, he should take her to be his wife, and tell her that an angel (Violetta) in heaven is praying for her, and him. After a beautiful quintet between Doctor, maid, Germont, Alfredo, and Violetta, Violetta begins to feel new strength rising, new life returning to her.... and this is where my description will end, because there is no description for what happens next. We all know what happens, but the way it happens must be experienced, not described. So, after my performance this Thursday evening, we will post a video of the entire third act so that you can see it.

Thanks, and we'll see you soon!

Leah & Dave