La traviata or The Fallen Woman is an opera in three acts by Giuseppe Verdi set to an Italian libretto by Francesco Maria Piave. It is based on La Dame aux camélias (1852), a play by Alexandre Dumas fils adapted from his own 1848 novel. The opera was originally titled Violetta, after the main character. It was first performed on March 6, 1853 at La Fenice opera house in Venice.
Piave and Verdi wanted to follow Dumas in giving the opera a contemporary setting, but the authorities at La Fenice insisted that it be set in the past, "c. 1700". It was not until the 1880s that the composer's and librettist's original wishes were carried out and "realistic" productions were staged. La traviata has become immensely popular and is among the most frequently performed of all operas.
Cast:
Violetta - Joan Sutherland
Alfredo Germont - Luciano Pavarotti
Giorgio Germont - Matteo Manuguerra
London Opera Voices
National Philharmonic
Richard Bonynge - conductor
DECCA - 1981