Opera "La Traviata" at the Mariinsky Theatre: summary, reviews

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

"La Traviata" at the Mariinsky Theater has been going on for more than a year. This is an opera in three acts, which has managed to turn into a visiting card of one of the most famous cultural institutions in the country. In this article, we will give a summary of the work, reviews left by the audience.

About opera

The modern production of La Traviata has been staged at the Mariinsky Theater 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 to a libretto by Francesco Maria Piave. Based on Alexandre Dumas' novel The Lady of the Camellias. This work was created based on autobiographical notes. So the characters have real prototypes. This is the famous French courtesan Marie Duplessis, who was considered by her contemporaries not only a beautiful, but also an intelligent woman.

It is interesting that Alexandre Dumas-son was among her admirers. Historians are sure that his father is to blame for their breakup. Dumas son, returning to Paris, did not find his beloved alive. In 1847 she died of tuberculosis. Shortly thereafter, the famous "Lady of the Camellias" was written, which has haunted readers and theatergoers all over the world for a century and a half.

It premiered in Venice in 1853. It failed, but later Verdi reworked the production, turning it into one of the most popular and famous operas in the world.

La Traviata was first performed at the Mariinsky Theater in 1868.

Authors and performers

The main roles in the production, which can be seen in St. Petersburg, are played by Zhanna Dombrovskaya (Violetta Valeri), Honored Artist of Russia Yevgeny Akimov (Alfred Germont), Vladislav Sulimsky (Georges Germont). Conductor - People's Artist of Russia Pavel Bubelnikov.

The production director Charles Roubaud, the production designer Bernard Arnoux, the costume designer Katya Duflo worked on "La Traviata" at the Mariinsky Theatre. The work was carried out under the general guidance of the music director, People's Artist of Russia Valery Gergiev. The performance is on the New Stage of the Mariinsky Theatre.

What is the opera about?

The work is divided into three acts. In the first, events unfold in the French capital. Violetta Valeri is a famous courtesan whose house is full of fun. Her fans are celebrating the woman's recovery.

Among the guests is specialattention should be paid to Viscount Alfred Germont, who is in love with the mistress of the house. At the request of the audience, he performs a drinking song dedicated to the object of his adoration.

When everyone is about to go dancing, Violetta gets sick. She asks the guests to leave. Concerned about her condition, Alfred begs the woman to change her lifestyle, believing in his sincere feelings. This love awakens in her hope for future happiness.

Second act

Note that going to the opera "La Traviata" at the Mariinsky Theater, a summary is worth knowing, at least in general terms. After all, the production is performed in Italian, albeit with Russian sub titles.

The second act begins in the outskirts of Paris. Violetta and Alfred settled here far from the bustle of the capital. Suddenly, the young man learns that his beloved is secretly selling her property. He goes to Paris to sort out financial problems.

Violetta, not finding 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 reproach 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 mortally ill. Love for Alfred remains her only solace in these last days.

Germont is struck by her sincerity, but he still insists on breaking up with his son. Violetta agrees to sacrifice happiness for the welfare of the young man. When Alfred returns from Paris, she gives him a fiery speech and leaves. ATfarewell letter informs that he is returning to live with Baron Dufol.

Germont appears and asks his son to return home. Alfred does not listen to his father, he is not able to understand the act of his beloved.

Decoupling

The third act begins at Flora's ball, where Alfred arrives in search of Violetta. His beloved appears along with Baron Dufol. The young man begins to look for a reason to quarrel.

During dinner, young people are left alone. Alfred demands that Violetta return to him, but she replies that she cannot break her word. Mad with jealousy, Alfred calls the whole society into the room, and in front of everyone throws money to the girl as a payment for love.

At the end of the opera, abandoned by everyone and broken by illness, Violetta slowly dies. She understands that her end will come very soon. The girl rereads the letter of Germont, who told his son the whole truth, he is now going to her to ask for forgiveness.

The lovers are reunited again. They dream of leaving Paris forever to start a new life. But this is no longer destined to come true. Violetta's strength is fading. 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 staged for many years.

The audience admits that this is one of the best works in the theatre's repertoire. On the stage, recognized masters of their craft, it remains only to enjoytheir range of voices, artistry, charisma and stunning beauty.

Verdi's music and the very plot of the work can move everyone to tears. The costumes in which the actors look amazing are amazing.

In the reviews of "La Traviata" at the Mariinsky Theater, the audience delightedly tells how dramatic and emotional the finale of this work turned out to be.

The action taking place on the stage captivates not only adults, but also children. Time flies by, the artists play in the same breath, so you should not worry if you are afraid of such a significant duration of three and a quarter hours.

Critics note that although the production does not contain fundamentally new and revolutionary readings of 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.