Giuseppe Verdi
La Traviata
Saturday, August 28, at 7:30PM
Conductor
Yannick Nézet-Séguin
Violetta Valéry
Diana Damrau
Alfredo Germont
Juan Diego Flórez
Giorgio Germont
Quinn Kelsey
Production
Michael Mayer
Set Designer
Christine Jones
Costume Designer
Susan Hilferty
Lighting Designer
Kevin Adams
Choreographer
Lorin Latarro
Live in HD Director
Gary Halvorson
Production a gift of The Paiko Foundation
Major additional funding from Mercedes T. Bass, Mr. and Mrs. Paul M. Montrone, and Rolex
Act I
Exhausted by her restless life as a courtesan, Violetta Valéry knows that she will die soon. When she meets the young Alfredo Germont, she is touched by his honesty. He declares his love, but she replies that there is no place for such feelings in her life. Alone, Violetta is torn by conflicting emotions—she doesn’t want to give up her way of life, but she feels that Alfredo has awakened her desire to be truly loved.
Act II
Alfredo and Violetta are happily living together in the country. Alfredo’s father pays an unexpected visit to Violetta, demanding that she end her affair with his son: The scandal of it has threatened Germont’s daughter’s engagement. Violetta says that she cannot but eventually gives in. She writes a farewell note to Alfredo and leaves. Alfredo, who thinks that Violetta has left him for another lover, follows her to Paris.
At a masked ball, Alfredo insults Violetta in front of the guests, hurling money at her as payment for her favors. Germont, who has witnessed the scene, rebukes his son for his behavior.
Act III
Violetta is dying. Alfredo, who has learned the truth from his father, arrives, and their reunion brings back Violetta’s exuberant joy of life. All sorrow and suffering seem to have left her—a final illusion, before death claims her.
The Summer HD Festival is generously supported by The Robert W. Wilson Charitable Trust.
The Met: Live in HD series is made possible by a generous grant from its founding sponsor, the Neubauer Family Foundation. Digital support of The Met: Live in HD is provided by Bloomberg Philanthropies. The Met: Live in HD is supported by Rolex.
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