Broadcast of "La Traviata"

Radio Record, Volume III, Issue 6, 23 August 1929, Unnumbered Page

Broadcast of "La Traviata"

Another Verdi Grand Opera from 1YA

A TRAVIATA" means "The ' Frail One."" The Opera was produced when Verdi was forty. . He had already had oe great success with "Ernani," S|: "Rigoletto," and "Il Trovatore." Yet, writing to a friend’ after the opening night of "‘La Traviata," he had to say: "It was a failure. Was the fault mine or the singers’? Time will decide." "On the’ whole, time has been fairly kind to "La Traviata." The Opera was familiar to a former generation of play-goers in its form as a spoken play, ‘Camille. It is based on Dumas’ ‘"‘La Dame aux Camellias," ACT IL THE chief characters in the order in which they sing are: -Violetta Valery, the heroine (Soprano); Gaston, the hero's friend (Tenor); and Alfred Germont, the ‘hero (Tenor). Other voices heard are those of Violetta’s friends, to whom,’ at the opening of the Opera, she ‘is giving a gay entertainment. Alfred is introduced to her, and his friend, Gaston, tells her that Alfred is in love. with her. She seems to think little of the news, but in réality she is touched’ by Alfred’s sincerity. —

He, himself, protests his love, and she sings the famous air, "Ah, fors’ e lui’ (translated as "Ah, was it him my heart foretold, when in the throng of pleasure, Oft have I joy’d to shadow forth, one whom alone I'd treasure’). But she decides that there is no hope of lasting love for her, and her mood changes to one of recklessness. The Act ends with her brilliant second air, "I'll fulfil the round of pleasure, joying, toying from flower to flower." ' ACT IL IN the second Act, Violetta has made her home with Alfred. He, however, learns from her maid, Annina (MezzoSoprano), that in order to keep up the home, Violetta. has sold her jewels. He goes to Paris to raise money to pay her back.. In his absence, his father, old Germont (Baritone) comes to Violetta, to beg her to give up Alfred. Violetta sacrifices her new ‘happiness. Ill though she is, she writes a note for Alfred to tell him she is returning to her old life. Alfred comes in, and she conceals the letter; ‘sending it to him, instead, later, by messenger. .

He concludes that she is perfectly heartless, and pursues her to a banquet. At the banquet Alfred publicly insults Violetta. She is broken-hearted, but carries out her bargain with his father, and will not divulge her rea! motives. The Act ends with Violetta’s sad protestation to Alfred that time will show how he has wronged her. ACT HI... N this,’ the Iast Act, Violetta is dying.’ Her doctor: (Bass) cheers her, but knows she cannot live. Then Alfred comes in. Hs: father has told of Violetta’s sacrifice of her happiness. All is forgotten but their love: Old Germont comes to give his blessing, but: it is too late. Violetta dies in her lover's arms, ‘ A VERITABLE triumph has been attained in the. recording of "Traviata" in complete form. The opera itself is. one that has held the stage since its first production in 1853; and. the singers of La Scala, Milan, both principals and. chorus, together with the orchestra of that famous opera house, unite in the production of a record that is marvellous in its close approach te reality.: Mercedes Capsir, a» soprano with a voice of deep emotional significance, is cast for Violetta; Lionello Cecil; an excellent tenor, as Alfredo; and Carlo Galeffi, the famous baritone, as Alfredo’s father.

EVERYONE who listened in to "Rigoletto" when presented some months ago will be pleased :to-note the opening date for the broadcasting at 1YA -of another of Verdi's grand operas, "La Traviata." The . first. instalment. .will .be . given on Fuesday, August 27,..with explana* tory description. by Mr. R. W. Strong, secretary of the, Auckland _ Choral Society. TR