54th MAY OPERA EVENINGS
GIUSEPPE VERDI
“LA TRAVIATA”
May 27, 2025, 8:00 PM
Conductor: Gergely Kesselyák (Hungary)
Director: Verena Stoiber (Germany)
Set and Costume Designer: Sophia Schneider (Germany)
Choreographer: Sasha Eftimova
Assistant Directors: Trajko Jordanovski, Ljupka Jakimovska
Assistant Conductor: Katerina Stojkovska
Concertmaster: Jane Bakevski
Chorus Master: Jasmina Gjorgeska
Accompanists: Elena Siljanoska, Janinka Nevcheva, Andreja Naunov, Anastasija Grgovska
Stage Managers: Dragan Kostadinović, Marko Pavlevski, Katerina Boshkovska
Prompter: Nevena Georgiev, Ivana Jordanovska
CAST:
VIOLETTA VALÉRY: Tea Purtseladze (Georgia)
ALFREDO GERMONT: Alessandro Fantoni (Italy)
GIORGIO GERMONT: Badral Chuluunbaatar (Mongolia)
FLORA BERVOIX: Marika Popovikj
ANNINA: Aleksandra Lazarovska Vasilevski
BARON DOUPHOL: Kristijan Antovski
MARQUIS D’OBIGNY: Dragan Ampov
GASTONE: Nikola Stojchevski
DR. GRENVIL: Neven Siljanovski
GIUSEPPE: Igor Ginovski
COMMISSIONER: Tihomir Jakimovski
FEATURING: The Chorus, Ballet Ensemble, and Orchestra of the National Opera and Ballet.
An opera in three acts by Giuseppe Verdi. Libretto by Francesco Maria Piave, based on the novel The Lady of the Camellias by Alexandre Dumas. Premiered at Teatro La Fenice, Venice, on March 6, 1853.
SYNOPSIS
ACT I
The courtesan Violetta Valéry welcomes guests to a party at her Paris salon. Among the attendees are Flora Bervoix, the Marquis d’Obigny, Baron Douphol, Gastone de Letorières, and a new admirer, Alfredo Germont.
Alfredo, who has long adored Violetta from afar, joins her in a “drinking song” (Brindisi). As music drifts from the next room and guests move to dance, Violetta suddenly feels faint and retreats to her room to recover. Alfredo follows her and, finding them alone, confesses his love. Violetta initially resists, claiming love means nothing to her. However, moved by his sincerity, she promises to meet him the following day. As the guests depart, Violetta wonders if he could be the one she truly desires. Ultimately, she chooses her freedom, though Alfredo’s voice singing outside seems to challenge her resolve.
ACT II
Several months later. Alfredo and Violetta are living in a country house near Paris. He sings of their mutual devotion. The maid, Annina, reveals to him that Violetta has been selling her jewelry to maintain the household. Stunned, Alfredo leaves for the city to settle their financial affairs. Violetta returns to find an invitation to a party at Flora Bervoix’s home. She has no intention of returning to her old life, but trouble arrives in the form of Alfredo’s father, Giorgio Germont.
Though impressed by Violetta’s noble character, Germont demands she leave his son; their scandalous relationship threatens the engagement of Alfredo’s sister. With a heavy heart, Violetta eventually yields. Alone and devastated, she writes a farewell letter to Alfredo and accepts Flora’s invitation. Alfredo returns unexpectedly; Violetta, barely controlling her emotions, reminds him of how much she loves him before rushing out. A servant delivers the letter, and Germont tries to console his son with memories of their family life in Provence. Discovering Flora’s invitation, Alfredo suspects Violetta has left him for another lover and vows to confront her at the party.
ACT III
Scene 1: Flora’s Party Marquis d’Obigny informs Flora that Violetta and Alfredo have separated. The floor is cleared for entertainment: a group of fortune-telling gypsies and matadors. Alfredo arrives, makes bitter remarks about love, and begins to gamble. Violetta arrives with Baron Douphol, who challenges Alfredo to a game of cards. The Baron loses a small fortune to Alfredo. Violetta begs for a private word with Alfredo. Terrified of the Baron’s temper, she implores Alfredo to leave. Alfredo misinterprets her concern and demands she admit she loves the Baron. Broken, she pretends it is true. Enraged, Alfredo calls the guests together, publicly denounces his former love, and throws his winnings at Violetta’s feet. Giorgio Germont enters just in time to witness this and condemns his son’s behavior. The guests rebuke Alfredo, and Baron Douphol challenges him to a duel.
Scene 2: Violetta’s Bedroom, six months later Dr. Grenvil informs Annina that Violetta is dying of tuberculosis and has little time left. Alone, Violetta rereads a letter from Germont, informing her that the Baron was only wounded in the duel and that Alfredo, now knowing the truth, is on his way to ask for her forgiveness. Violetta knows it is too late. Outside, the streets are filled with the sounds of a carnival. Annina enters to announce Alfredo’s arrival. The lovers joyfully plan to leave Paris forever. Germont and the doctor arrive as Violetta summons a final burst of energy. She feels life returning to her, but it is a final surge; she falters and falls dead at her lover’s feet.