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Metropolitan Opera: 'La traviata'

Renée Fleming as Violetta in Verdi's "La traviata."
Renee Fleming as Violetta in Verdi's "La traviata."

On Saturday at 1 p.m., hear the Metropolitan Opera's broadcast of Giuseppe Verdi's "La traviata" with soprano Renee Fleming on Classical IPR.

The Metropolitan Opera has launched a new Artist’s Choice broadcast series. Throughout February, the series features Met performances chosen by some of today’s most celebrated artists, spotlighting the stars who inspired them.

The series begins this Saturday with Angel Blue's selection — her favorite soprano, Renée Fleming, in Verdi’s "La traviata." This 2007 performance includes Fleming as the Parisian courtesan Violetta, alongside tenor Matthew Polenzani as her lover Alfredo, and baritone Dwayne Croft as his father Germont. Marco Armiliato conducts the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and Chorus.

From the Met: "Violetta Valéry is a well-known courtesan in Paris whose life appears to be glamorous, but who also suffers from a serious illness. She meets Alfredo Germont, a young man from a good family, they fall in love and move to the country. Alfredo’s father disapproves of their relationship and comes to tell Violetta that her involvment with Alfredo will ruin his family’s reputation.

"Out of her love for Alfredo, Violetta agrees to leave him and returns to Paris. Thinking she has betrayed him, Alfredo is heartbroken. He follows her to a party and publicly insults her. A few months later, Violetta is close to death. Alfredo, who has learned why Violetta left him, returns to her. He is shocked by her weakness as she strains to get to her feet. They vow to be together forever, but she soon collapses and breathes her last."

Composer: Giuseppe Verdi

Libretto: Francesco Maria Piave

CAST

Violetta: Renee Fleming

Alfredo: Matthew Polenzani

Germont: Dwayne Croft

Read the synopsis and program guide from the Metropolitan Opera.