"La Traviata" at the Mariinsky Theater has been going on for several years. This is an opera in three acts, which managed to turn into a business card of one of the most famous cultural institutions in the country. In this article we will provide a brief summary of the work, the reviews that leave the audience.
About the opera
The contemporary production of La Traviata at the Mariinsky Theater has been going on since 2002. This is an opera with two intermissions. The total duration of the performance is 3 hours and 15 minutes.
La Traviata is one of the most famous works of the Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi, written on the libretto of Francesco Maria Piave. The basis of the novel by Alexander Dumas "Lady with Camellias". This work is based on autobiographical notes. So the heroes have real prototypes. This is the famous French courtesan Marie Duplessis, who was considered contemporaries not only beautiful, but also an intelligent woman.
It is interesting that among her fans was Alexander Dumas the son. Historians are sure that his father is to blame for their break. Dumas the son, returning to Paris, did not find his beloved alive. In 1847, she died of tuberculosis. Soon after, the famous "Lady with Camellias" was written, which for a century and a half has been haunting readers and theatergoers around the world.
Its premiere took place in Venice in 1853. She failed, but Verdi later reworked the production, turning it into one of the most popular and famous operas in the world.
At the Mariinsky Theater "La Traviata" was first performed in 1868.
Authors and Performers
The main roles in the production, which can be seen in St. Petersburg, are played by Zhanna Dombrovskaya (Violetta Valerie), Honored Artist of Russia Evgeny Akimov (Alfred Germont), Vladislav Sulimsky (Georges Germont). Conductor - People's Artist of Russia Pavel Bubelnikov.
Production director Charles Roubaud worked on La Traviata at the Mariinsky Theater, Bernard Arnou, production designer, and Katya Duflo, costume designer. The work was carried out under the general guidance of the musical director, people's artist of Russia Valery Gergiev. The production is on the New Stage of the Mariinsky Theater.
What is opera about?
The work is divided into three actions. In the first, events unfold in the French capital. Violetta Valerie is a famous courtesan in whose house fun reigns. Her fans celebrate the recovery of a woman.
Among the guests, special attention should be paid to the viscount Alfred Germont, who is in love with the mistress of the house. At the request of the audience, he performs a feast song dedicated to the object of his adoration.
When everyone is about to go dancing, Violet becomes ill. She asks the guests to leave. Concerned about her condition, Alfred prays to a woman to change her lifestyle, believing in his sincere feelings. This love awakens in her hope for future happiness.
Second action
Note that going to the opera La Traviata at the Mariinsky Theater, the summary is worth knowing, if only in general terms. After all, the production is performed in Italian, albeit with Russian subtitles.
The second action begins in the vicinity of Paris. Violetta and Alfred settled here far from the bustle of the capital. Suddenly, a young man discovers that his lover is secretly selling his property. He goes to Paris to settle financial problems.
Violetta, not catching Alfred at home, receives an invitation to the ball, but is not going to go there. Suddenly, the father of the young man, Georges Germont, appears. He begins to blame the woman for ruining his son and the reputation of the whole family. Violetta is on the verge of despair, she is aware that she is terminally ill. Love for Alfred remains her only consolation in these last days.
Germona is astounded by her sincerity, but he still insists on breaking up with his son. Violetta agrees to sacrifice happiness for the well-being of the young man. When Alfred returns from Paris, she addresses him with a fiery speech and leaves. In a farewell letter, he reports that he is returning to live with Baron Dufol.
Germon appears, asking his son to return home. Alfred does not listen to his father, he is not able to realize the act of his beloved.
Denouement
The third action begins at the ball at Flora, where Alfred comes in search of Violetta. His lover appears along with Baron Dufol. The young man begins to look for a reason for a quarrel.
During dinner, young people are left alone. Alfred demands that Violetta return to him, but she replies that she cannot violate this word. Distraught with jealousy, Alfred calls the whole society into the room, with all throws the girl money as a payment for love.
At the end of the opera, Violetta, left by everyone and broken by the disease, slowly dies. She understands that her end will come very soon. The girl rereads the letter of Germont, who told her son the whole truth, now he goes to her to ask for forgiveness.
Lovers reunite again. They dream to leave Paris forever to start a new life. But this will not come true. Violetta’s strength is running out. She dies in Alfred’s arms.
Reviews
The opera La Traviata at the Mariinsky Theater is considered one of the most famous productions on this stage, which has been successfully performed for many years.
Viewers admit that this is one of the best works in the repertoire of the theater. On stage, recognized masters of their craft, it remains only to enjoy the range of their voices, artistry, charisma and stunning beauty.
Verdi's music and the plot itself of the work of each is able to touch to tears. Amazing costumes in which the actors look amazing.
In reviews of La Traviata at the Mariinsky Theater, spectators delightedly tell how dramatic and emotional the ending of this piece turned out to be.
The action taking place on the stage captivates not only adults, but also children. Time flies by, artists play in the same breath, so you should not worry if you fear such a significant duration of three hours and a quarter.
Critics point out that even though the production does not have any fundamentally new and revolutionary readings of the characters or plot, it is interesting for its visual beauty. In addition, she does not ask the viewer tricky questions, allowing her to simply enjoy, enjoying the performance.