The True Story of La Traviata/L’histoire vrai de la Traviata

This week we moved into production of Verdi’s La traviata with a marvelous double cast for the leading roles of Violetta and Alfredo. There will be eight performances, starting on Saturday, March 5, through Sunday, March 13. Minnesota Opera has teamed with Alliance Française of Minneapolis St. Paul to offer lectures on operas concerning all things French. Although La traviata, a masterpiece by Giuseppe Verdi, is an Italian opera, there could never be a more “French” subject that the true story of the courtesan Marie Plessis, as told by her lover Alexandre Dumas fils (the French way of saying Dumas, Junior!). The fictionalized account of their stormy relationship became a best-seller of the 19th century. Minnesota Opera’s Head of Music, Mary Dibbern, will tell this story, illustrated with documents and photos of Paris, at the Alliance Française on February 24, starting at 6pm. The lecture will be in French for Intermediate level or above. It will be followed by wine and cheese to end the event by 7:30pm. The event is free and open to the public. The Alliance is located at 113 North 1st Street, Minneapolis, 55401. Come back to this blog every Monday to continue reading about this true story of the woman known as La Traviata!