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- Verdi, Giuseppe
Duration: 5 minutes
Description: LA TRAVIATA (THE FALLEN WOMAN) is based on La Dame aux camélias (1852), a play adapted from the novel by Alexandre Dumas fils. The opera was originally titled Violetta, after the main character. Librettist Francesco Maria Piave and composer Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901) wanted to follow Dumas in giving the opera a contemporary setting, but the authorities at La Fenice insisted that it be set in the past, ca. 1700. It was not until the 1880’s that the composer’s and librettist’s original wishes were carried out and “realistic” productions were staged. The story follows the doomed romance between the courtesan Violetta Valéry and the young nobleman Alfredo Germont, whose happiness is destroyed by societal pressure and personal sacrifice. Following its initially unsuccessful March 6, 1853 premiere at La Fenice in Venice, LA TRAVIATA has since become immensely popular and is among the most frequently performed of all operas. The aria “De’ miei bollenti spiriti” occurs early in Act II, at the country house near Paris where Alfredo and Violetta are living together; believing himself fully loved and blissfully unaware that Violetta is secretly sacrificing her happiness at the urging of his father, Alfredo expresses his passionate joy and confidence in their future. Musically radiant, “De’ miei bollenti spiriti” provides a poignant contrast to the heartbreak that soon follows. Today the aria stands as one of the most frequently performed tenor showpieces in the operatic repertoire. Instrumentation: 1+1(Picc).2.2.2: 4.2.3.1: Timp: Str (4.4.3.3.3 in set): Solo Ten. Reprint edition.