Detroit Film Theatre
WORLD OPERA IN CINEMA: LA TRAVIATA
December 17 - December 19, 2009
Presented in high definition from the stage of Teatro alla Scala, the world’s most famous opera house, Giuseppi Verdi’s La Traviata was inspired by Alexandre Dumas’ The Lady of the Camelias; the opera’s title means literally “The Woman Who Strayed”, or “The Fallen One.” Courtesan Violetta Valéry (Angela Gheorghiu in her La Scala debut) meets a new admirer, Alfredo Germont (Ramón Vargas), who confesses his love. Trouble intrudes with Alfredo's father who demands she renounce his son since the scandal of Alfredo's affair with her has threatened his daughter's engagement. Violetta resists but eventually agrees. Back in Paris, Alfredo denounces his former love cruelly and Douphol (Alessandro Paliaga) challenges him to a duel. Original staging by Liliana Cavani (The Night Porter, Ripley’s Game), conducted by Lorin Maazel, and featuring Natascha Petrinsky and Tiziana Tramonti. Sung in Italian with English subtitles. (approx. 150 min. with intermission)
