This cabaletta is one of the great moments of the opera, at which point Violetta concludes that she is a great self-made free woman, dedicated to life’s pleasures only and not romantic ties. Note the duality between keys that summarizes the entire dichotomy of the work: the disorderly, flat key of Violetta and the D flat key in Giorgio Germont’s scenes, the simplest harmonic relationship there is: tonic vs dominant. A cabaletta is an Italian musical term with which the second part of the aria is identified in the opera of the 19th century, with a more lively rhythm. It represents an intensification of emotions or action (sometimes the term is confused with cavatina, and if several voices are involved it is called stretta).

La Traviata is a melodrama in three acts inspired by La Dame aux Camélias, by Alexandre Dumas (son), in turn based on the life of the Norman courtesan Alphonsine Plessis. It is one of Verdi's most audacious and original works, the only contemporary one at the time of its premiere, a circumstance that was too transgressive and forced Verdi to adjust this point at the time. It is a simple composition from a technical standpoint, yet effective and modern. Although there are plenty of arias and duets, it is a continuous work, a great innovation for the time. La Traviata contributed to the popularity of tuberculosis, the romantic disease par excellence, with strong connotations of moral dissipation and bohemian lifestyle.

Brief synopsis of La traviata (spoiler alert): Violeta is a self-made young courtesan who lives an extravagant and luxurious life in Paris, surrounded by lovers and admirers, but suffers from tuberculosis. Used to exchanging love for money, when she meets her suitor Alfredo she feels upset at the dilemma of abandoning her easy life of frivolity and debauchery. However, she cannot resist true love at last, and the two begin a relationship in the countryside. Alfredo’s father, Giorgio Germont, steps in, concern on the effect this idyll is having on the familiar reputation, and asks Violeta to leave Alfredo so that his other daughter can marry a respectable suitor. She accepts in great pain, and goes back to Paris after saying her farewell to Alfredo in a letter. Poor Alfredo is comforted by his father, who asks him to return with him to their beloved Provence, but Alfredo thinks Violeta has left him for an old suitor and runs to Paris to take revenge. There, he humiliates Violeta for her profession and receives a notorious scolding from his father, who tells him what actually happened. Alfredo returns to apologize to Violeta, but she is already terminal and dies in his arms.

Salzburg Festspiele, 2005. Conductor: Carlo Rizzi.
Cast: Anna Netrebko as Violetta Valéry, Rolanzo Villazón as Alfredo Germont, Thomas Hampson as Giorgio Germont, Helene Schneiderman as Flora Belvoix, Diane Pilcher as Annina, Salvatore Cordella as Gastone, Paul Gay as baron Douphol, Herman Wallén as doctor Grenvil.

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