Verdi’s triumph ‘La Traviata’

La traviata was an immense fiasco, and worse, people laughed. Still, what do you expect? I am not upset over it. I’m wrong or they are wrong.

Giuseppe Verdi , March 1853

Everything was wrong. When Verdi’s first production of the opera based on Alexandre Dumas fils La Dame aux camelias was staged in 19th century Vienna, critics and audiences cringed at the modern costumes, the hoarse voice of the baritone and broke into laughter when a fat prima donna as Violetta declared she was wasting away from consumption.

European audiences did not like operas with modern costumes and Victorian England frowned upon a courtesan heroine and would only allow the production if sung in Italian.

A year later, Verdi enjoyed a complete vindication when "La Traviata" was staged as a period piece and the original cast was replaced by virtuosos. Since that time, "La Traviata" has remained one of the world’s most beloved operas.

The Western Opera Theatre, the professional touring company of the San Francisco Opera Center, will present "La Traviata" on Sunday at 7 p.m. at Wood River High School in Hailey. Tickets are $35 available at Ex Libris, Chapter One Bookstore and Read All About It or by calling 725-0481. A preview performance on Thursday evening at 7 p.m. will be held at the Sun Valley Center for the Arts.

The WOT has performed in more than 48 states for more than 2 million audience members including last year’s local group who sat for their production of Bizet’s "Carmen." In addition, WOT was the first mainland opera company to tour Alaska and Hawaii and the first professional company to perform in the People’s Republic of China in 1987.

Joseph Colaneri will lead the fully staffed and costumed production, which features 16 young singers from four countries and 13 states, as well as a 32-piece orchestra. Based upon direction by Jo Pierce, the critically acclaimed production also features sets by Barbara Mesney and lighting by L.B. Luebbers. "La Traviata" will be sung in Italian with English supertitles.

The opera begins with a wild, festive party. The handsome Alfredo Germont (Todd Geer) declares his undying love to the beautiful courtesan Violetta Valery (Caroline Worro), who for some time has entertained a similar passion for him. Though she knows that consumption is slowly undermining her health, she agrees to live with him in his country home outside Paris.

Alfredo is in debt, and Violetta begins to secretly sell off her houses and properties to help him. When he finds out he returns to Paris to clear his name and while he’s gone his father (James Westman) asks Violetta to let him go. He tells her she is ruining his reputation and the reputation of the family. A younger sister’s betrothed will not go through with the marriage unless Alfredo forsakes Violetta.

Violetta sacrifices her affections and happiness and returns to Paris. Alfredo follows in despair only to find her under the protection of former suitor Baron Douphol (Philip Horst). Furious and consumed with jealousy he publicly insults her throwing a purse of money at her feet.

This is too much for Violetta, who returns to her home to die. Alfredo learns the truth from his father and the two rush to her bedside, but are too late.

Dumas’s play and novel are based on a real-life Parisian courtesan, Marie Duplisses, who had an affair not only with the great composer Lizt but probably with Dumas as well. She loved a gallant young man who refused to live with her and died, poverty stricken of consumption at the age of 23.