“LA TRAVIATA” TO-NIGHT

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 456, 11 September 1928, Page 19

“LA TRAVIATA” TO-NIGHT

STORY OF OPERA “La Traviata,” which is to be played this evening, is an opera in three acts by Verdi. The text is by Piave, after Dumas’s “Lady of the Camelias.” It was first produced' at the Penice Theatre, in Venice, March 6, 1853. Violetta (the Camille of the dramatic version and the Marguerite of Dumas’s novel) is a leading light in the demi-monde of Paris. Alfredo (tenor), a young man from Provence, is earnestly in love with her. He persuades her to give up her life in Paris and retire with him to a country cottage. Here life is full of happiness for them-both. But Alfredo s father (baritone) seeks Violetto (soprano) secretly, and tells her that his son’s life is being ruined because of this liaison; and, further, that his daughter’s chance of marriage is prejudiced. The bighearted Violetta decides to sacrifice herself for her lover’s sake. Fearing to say good-bye and explain, she leaves the cottage and returns to Paris, tahe is threatened with consumption and, in order to forget the genuine love she has tested for so brief a spell, throws herself into the old life of gaiety. Alfredo, not knowing the real reason for her desertion, follows her to Paris and, seeing her at a ball surrounded by a court of admirers, publicly insults ’“too late, he discovers the unselfish love which has led her to throw away her happiness with him. He finds hei dying, and a tender reconciliation takes niace at her bedside. With a great peace and happiness in her heart she dies in Alfredo’s arms. “THE LAST WALTZ” AT ROYAL “The Last Waltz,” a drama of love and hatred in the Balkans, will be Sown at the Royal Theatre, Kingsland. this evening. The cast is a particularly strong one of ’ P™ znl J‘° nt £°u' tinental actors, headed by Willy * r The h story tells of a young court officer Dimitri, who incurred the wrath of the prince, and was condemned to death. He was granted one hour of freedom, and in that time danced his last faltz with his beautiful young svi But Knew - tiie second attraction, is a picture based on the daring stage play. Lilian Hall-Laws, the well-known English actress, is the principal player. “BUSH CINDERELLA” AT GRAND “A Bush Cinderella,” which will be SSS Theatre, ‘stars'as^he but sue nlfvs it with rare charm and beauty. the prologue to the film, she depots a young New Zeaiand orphan driven from home in disgrace oy ha ;Tr ' opposite Miss <r le role ' and An excellent supporting programme will also be shown. i