La Traviata is a three-act opera composed by Giuseppe Verdi on an Italian libretto by Francesco Maria Piave. It was first performed on March 6th, 1853 at La Fenice opera house in Venice. Verdi insisted on finding an original and provocative idea for the audience in Venice, and decided to base his work on La dame aux Camélias (1852), a play adapted from the novel by Alexandre Dumas (fils). The piece was originally titled Violetta, after the protagonist. This famous opera remains among the most performed masterpieces of the entire lyric tradition.

Opera e Lirica soloists, from the most important Italian theaters and Music Academies, will perform this breathtaking story accompanied by choir and orchestra conducted by Maestro Nicola Samale. The audience will enjoy an extraordinary and memorable experience, surrounded by the fascinating atmosphere of the Basilica of Saint Paul Within the Walls. The story will also be enriched by lovely ballet dancers who will perform romantic choreography.

The opera follows the story of the courtesan Violetta, who is introduced as a dissolute lady fiercely living free from any bonds. Later, however, she is unexpectedly overwhelmed by her love for Alfredo, an upper-class young man who warns her that she should take care of her health, since her lifestyle has led her to contract tuberculosis. Violetta renounces to her status and independence, leaving Paris to settle in the countryside with Alfredo. His father, however, reaches out to her to ask her to break up with Alfredo, because their relationship is compromising the honor of his family, preventing Alfredo’s sister to get married. Alfredo is unaware of the reason why his lover has broken up with him, and only finds out the truth when it is too late. Violetta, worn out by the phthisis, dies in his arms.

Violetta’s character was inspired by the real story of the well-known courtesan Marie Duplessis, who had also had a turbulent love affair with Alexandre Dumas fils himself. He saw her passing away when she was only thirty-three and he collected his memories of her in the renown book 'The Lady of the Camellias' on which La Traviata is based.

TITLE: La traviata. Melodrama in three acts.

LIBRETTO: Francesco Maria Piave.

MUSIC: Giuseppe Verdi.

• VIOLETTA VALÉRY (Soprano) Aleksandra Buczek
• ALFREDO GERMONT (Tenor) Emil Alekperov
• GIORGIO GERMONT, his father (Baritone) Cristian Alderete
• FLORA BERVOIX-ANNINA (Mezzo-soprano) Sara Tiburzi
• GASTONE, Viscount of Letorières(Tenor) Carlo Napoletani
• GIUSEPPE, Violetta’s servant (Tenor) Lucio Del Rio
• BARONE DOUPHOL (Baritone) Andrea Scorsolini
• DOCTOR GRENVIL (Bass) Domenico Forte
• COMMISION AGENT (Bass) Giuseppe Trovato
• CHOIR: Servants and noblemen, friends of Violetta and Flora, picadores and matadores, gypsies, Violetta’s and Flora’s servants, masks
• DANCERS: Sofia Angelis, Francesco Sgura
• Special guest: Angelo Nardinocchi - Marchese D’Obigny
• Choreography: Valerio Polverari
• Conductor: Gianluca Pagliuso
• Scenes and costumes: Bolero Sartoria
• Artistic director: Giusi Cuccaro
• Director: Giuseppina Cuccaro
• Opera e Lirica Orchestra