5 Things to Know about LA TRAVIATA

Verdi’s La Traviata (“the fallen woman”) presents the tragic tale of a Parisian courtesan who dreams of escaping the social constraints of her world in the service of true love.

Initially controversial for its provocative subject matter, the opera went on to become one of the composer’s most celebrated works, famed for its soaring melodies and heartbreaking storyline.

Learn more about this giant of the operatic canon before joining us for La Traviata, which opens our 2026/2027 season on September 18!

From novel to noteworthy (eventually)

Verdi based his opera on La Dame aux camélias (1852), a novel and play by Alexandre Dumas fils (son of the author of The Three Musketeers and The Count of Monte Cristo). The opera was originally titled Violetta and was first performed on March 6, 1853 at La Fenice in Venice. The premiere was not auspicious: the audience jeered at soprano Fanny Salvini-Donatelli, whom many considered to be too old (at 38) to play the tragic Violetta, and Verdi wrote to his friend in despair the next day: "La Traviata last night a failure. Was the fault mine or the singers'? Time will tell."

Call this scandalous?

Remounted a year later with Maria Spezia-Aldighieri in the role of Violetta, the opera was warmly received. It went on to enjoy successful, if controversial, performances in London and the United States. Because the content was considered morally questionable, Queen Victoria refrained from attending a performance at His Majesty’s Theatre, but in New York the Evening Post critic wrote, "Those who have quietly sat through the glaring improprieties of Don Giovanni will hardly blush or frown at anything in La Traviata."

A little too modern

Part of the opera’s shocking reputation originated from Verdi’s decision to locate the tale of forbidden love in the 1850s: a “present-day” setting that producers worried would risk offending patrons who might recognise themselves or others from their social circles. For this reason, early productions set the action a century earlier, obscuring any obvious connection to the world of contemporary audiences. By sidestepping controversy, La Traviata became one of the great successes of Verdi’s middle period (along with Rigoletto and Il Trovatore) and remains one of the most performed operas today.

Drink with us

La Traviata features some of opera’s most recognizable music, including the drinking song sung by Violetta, Alfredo and the chorus, "Libiamo ne' lieti calici" (“Let’s drink from the joyful cups”), as well as Violetta's passionate ode to freedom, "Sempre libera" (“Forever free”). The score is closely tied to Violetta’s character arc, developing from the busy coloratura of the first act, to the drama of the second, and finally the ethereal music that accompanies her final scene.

“The greatest thing you’ll ever learn…”

The story of a tragic courtesan sacrificed at the altar of mid-century Parisian decadence has inspired many creative offshoots, not least on the big screen—from George Cukor’s 1936 film Camille (starring Greta Garbo and Robert Taylor) to Erich Segal’s 1970 Harvard-set romance Love Story, and Baz Luhrmann’s 2001 Moulin Rouge! starring Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor. In the hands of director Arin Arbus, our own production of La Traviata features breathtakingly detailed and opulent sets and costumes designed to transport audiences to 1850s Paris, animated by Verdi’s timelessly enchanting score.

La Traviata appears at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts from September 18 - October 17, 2026.

Photo Credits:

• La Traviata at the Canadian Opera Company, 2022. Photo: Michael Cooper
• La Dame aux Camélias: Sarah Bernhardt. Artist: Alphonse Mucha
• Maria Spezia as Violetta in La Traviata. Found in the collection of Bibliothèque Nationale de France
• La Traviata at the Canadian Opera Company, 2022. Photo: Michael Cooper
• Moulin Rouge!, 2001. Director: Baz Luhrmann