La Traviata

• Opera

Violetta is the most sought-after courtesan in the Parisian demimonde. But her encounter with Alfredo calls her life in a state of intoxication into question: They fall in love and try to build a life together away from the quick pleasures of the city. Violetta cannot let go of her past, however. Alfredo's father persuades them to separate for the sake of the family's honor. Alfredo, who does not know the true reasons behind her decision, humiliates Violetta in public. When the two find each other again, Violetta has no time left.

Giuseppe Verdi was looking for such a provocative, new material when he came across the novel "La Dame aux Camélias" by Alexandre Dumas the Younger. In the spring of 1852 he saw the "Lady of the Camellias" adapted by the poet into a play at the Vaudeville Theater in Paris. The impression strengthened his decision to use the material for his next opera: the story gave him the opportunity to reformulate his great theme, love failing due to social resistance.

Directed by: Johannes Erath
Set design: Annette Kurz
Costumes: Herbert Murauer
Light: Olaf Freese
Dramaturgy: Francis Hüsers

Premiere on: February 17, 2013