Conductor
Lukas Karytinos

Director-Choreography-Sets
Konstantinos Rigos

Costumes
Ioanna Tsami

Lighting
Christos Tziogkas

Associate architect
Mary Tsagari

Chorus master
Agathangelos Georgakatos

Odeon of Herodes Atticus

Italian Opera Cycle
A part of the Athens Festival

Starts at: 21.00 |

Act I / At Violetta Valery’s house in Paris. August, around 1850. During a reception, Vicomte Gastone de Letorieres introduces Violetta, a famous courtesan of Parisian high society, to another admirer of hers, Alfredo Germont. After the young man has made a toast, the guests go on to the ballroom. Feeling unwell, Violetta remains behind; her symptoms suggest that she is consumptive. Alfredo assists her and confesses his deep love for her. When the guests leave, Violetta wonders whether this affectionate young man could free her from her present way of life.

Act II, Scene 1 / A country house near Paris. January, around 1851. Three months have already passed since Violetta and Alfredo set up house together. When he finds out that she has been selling her belongings to finance their life together, he decides to return to Paris in order to settle his affairs. During his absence, his father, Giorgio Germont, secretly visits Violetta. He asks her to leave Alfredo, claiming that his son’s relationship with a courtesan threatens the future prospects of his daughter, who is soon to be married. Violetta is heartbroken but eventually capitulates. When Alfredo returns, she bids him farewell pretending that she is only leaving for a short while. Through a letter she later informs him that she has deserted him. Germont tries to comfort his son, but Alfredo, not knowing the true reasons of Violetta’s actions, swears vengeance.

Scene 2 / Flora Bervoix’s house, Paris. Flora, Violetta’s friend, is holding a reception; her guests are enjoying themselves. Alfredo enters and is soon followed by Violetta, who is escorted by one of her previous admirers, the Baron Douphol. Alfredo starts playing cards and wins large sums. As the rest of the guests retire for dinner, Alfredo and Violetta speak privately. She is afraid for his life and begs him to leave. In order to convince him she claims that she now loves the Baron. Alfredo is furious and insults her in front of all the guests. He scornfully throws his winnings at her feet as payment for her “services”. His father reproaches him for his offensive behaviour, while Douphol challenges him to a duel.

Act III / Violetta’s bedroom, February. Violetta has only a few more hours to live. She rereads a letter from Germont, telling her that Alfredo had fled abroad after wounding the Baron at the duel but was now hurrying back to ask for her forgiveness, having learned of her sacrifice. Outside, a group of revellers can be heard celebrating carnival. Alfredo soon arrives and the two lovers are happily reunited. They dream about leaving Paris together. However, when Violetta stands up to get dressed, she collapses. The doctor rushes to her bedside, but it is too late. Germont also arrives and begs her to forgive him. Violetta gives Alfredo a locket with her portrait and wishes him to marry a woman worthy of himself. Then she dies in Alfredo’s arms.