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79-464: The Fort Worth Civic Opera Association, now known as Fort Worth Opera, was founded by three women, Eloise MacDonald Snyder and Betty Spain , both former opera singers, and pianist and composer Jeanne Axtell Walker . In seven months, the trio pulled together a full-scale production of Verdi's La Traviata , performed on November 25, 1946, in a building now known as the Cowtown Coliseum, located in

158-470: A courtesan. She responds that she cannot end the relationship because she loves Alfredo so much, but Giorgio pleads with her for the sake of his family. With growing remorse, she finally agrees (Violetta, Giorgio: Dite alla giovine, sì bella e pura, – "Tell the young girl, so beautiful and pure,") and says goodbye to Giorgio. In a gesture of gratitude for her kindness and sacrifice, Giorgio kisses her forehead before leaving her weeping alone. Violetta gives

237-506: A duet with Alfredo, Violetta suddenly revives, exclaiming that the pain and discomfort have left her. A moment later, she dies in Alfredo's arms. The opera uses an orchestra with the following instrumentation : 2 flutes (fl. 2 doubling piccolo ), 2 oboes , 2 clarinets , 2 bassoons , 4 horns , 2 trumpets , 3 trombones , harp , cimbasso , timpani , cymbals , bass drum , triangle , strings . Banda : Verdi did not fully orchestrate

316-429: A failure. Was the fault mine or the singers'? Time will tell." Coincidentally, as Philips-Matz points out, an Italian translation of the play La Dame aux camélias was being presented just a short distance from La Fenice. While there were demands for productions from impresarios in various Italian cities, Verdi was loath to allow them unless he could be sure of the strength of the singers, and in spite of their pleas,

395-472: A letter from Alfredo's father telling her that the Baron was only wounded in his duel with Alfredo. He has informed Alfredo of the sacrifice she has made for him and his sister; and he is sending his son to see her as quickly as possible to ask for her forgiveness. But Violetta senses it is too late (Violetta: Addio, del passato bei sogni ridenti – "Farewell, lovely, happy dreams of the past"). Annina rushes into

474-432: A nationally recognized Festival in the springtime, the organization returned to a year-round format during the 2021–2022 season, to expand its presence and visibility in the growing North Texas arts scene. La Traviata La traviata ( Italian: [la traviˈaːta, -aˈvjaː-] ; The Fallen Woman ) is an opera in three acts by Giuseppe Verdi set to an Italian libretto by Francesco Maria Piave . It

553-534: A negligible factor in the thought of the world, and it stands in danger of being exterminated. The American Indian left no continuous record. He did not appreciate the value of tradition; and where is he today? The Hebrew keenly appreciated the value of tradition, as is attested by the Bible itself. In spite of worldwide persecution, therefore, he is a great factor in our civilization. In 1929, The Journal of Negro History noted that, with only two exceptions, officials with

632-407: A new managing director. The next several years proved to be difficult for the company, both financially and administratively. It hired and terminated two managing directors that were unable to generate the ticket sales and financial stability of Kruger. In 1991, Fort Worth Opera hired William Walker , a former singer with a distinguished career as one of Metropolitan Opera's principal baritones and as

711-443: A note to Annina to send to Flora accepting the party invitation and, as she is writing a farewell letter to Alfredo, he enters. She can barely control her sadness and tears; she tells him repeatedly of her unconditional love (Violetta: Amami, Alfredo, amami quant'io t'amo – "Love me, Alfredo, love me as I love you"). Before rushing out and setting off for Paris, she hands the farewell letter to her servant to give to Alfredo. Soon,

790-493: A recurring guest on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson . Under Walker's direction, the company was able to return to financial stability and artistic success. In 1998, the executive board, unhappy with Walker's administrative management and direction, offered him a severance package, which he initially accepted. Later at a meeting of the full board, his supporters rallied to overturn the executive committee's decision. The company lost many important board members and donors as

869-542: A result. The remaining board hired an executive director to help with administrative issues and Walker retained his position until his retirement in June 2002. In July 2001, Fort Worth Opera hired a new general director, Darren Keith Woods . Woods' prior experience included twenty years as a successful character tenor and general director of the Seagle Music Colony in upstate New York and Shreveport Opera . In recent years,

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948-512: A short time, a synopsis was dispatched to Venice under the title of Amore e morte ( Love and Death ). However, Verdi wrote to his friend De Sanctis telling him that "for Venice I'm doing La Dame aux camélias which will probably be called La traviata . A subject for our own age." Although still bogged down at Sant'Agata, Piave was sanguine: "Everything will turn out fine, and we'll have a new masterpiece from this true wizard of modern harmonies". When back at Sant'Agata in late January 1853 Verdi

1027-564: A six-week Virtual Audition Intensive with young opera singers across the globe and the digital debut of the Fort Worth Opera Chorus with a performance of Moses Hogan 's His Light Still Shines . In addition, the eighth installment of the company's innovative new works showcase, Frontiers: FWO Libretto Workshop , was presented virtually. After a six-month international search in 2020, the Board of Trustees proudly chose Afton Battle to become

1106-579: A subject for what would become Il trovatore , but work on this opera could not proceed while the composer was writing Rigoletto , which premiered in Venice in March 1851. In addition, personal affairs in his home town limited his activities that spring, but after Rigoletto ' s success in Venice, an additional commission was offered by Brenna, the secretary of La Fenice. Verdi and Giuseppina Strepponi visited Paris from late 1851 and into March 1852. In February

1185-473: A woman renders himself deserving of contempt."). Flora and the ladies attempt to persuade Violetta to leave the dining room, but Violetta turns to Alfredo (Violetta: Alfredo, Alfredo, di questo core non-puoi comprendere tutto l'amore... – "Alfredo, Alfredo, you can't understand all the love in this heart..."). Violetta's bedroom Dr. Grenvil tells Annina that Violetta will not live long since her tuberculosis has worsened. Alone in her room, Violetta reads

1264-533: A young operatic singer, she became a highly regarded Arts Administrator, Development Director and Consultant in the art, ballet, and theater worlds of Chicago and New York City, masterminding several significant corporate campaigns, before joining Fort Worth Opera in September of 2020 to lead the company. During the company's 2020–2021 season, Fort Worth Opera launched FWO GO , an artistic initiative featuring socially distanced, pop-up performances in neighborhoods across

1343-558: A young woman dying of consumption . (Verdi had previously attempted to persuade the manager of La Fenice to re-cast the role with a younger woman, but with no success.) Nevertheless, the first act was met with applause and cheering at the end; but in the second act, the audience began to turn against the performance, especially after the singing of the baritone Felice Varesi and the tenor Lodovico Graziani . The next day, Verdi wrote to his friend Emanuele Muzio in what has now become perhaps his most famous letter: " La traviata last night

1422-451: Is announced and demands that she break off her relationship with his son for the sake of his family, since he reveals that Violetta's relationship with Alfredo has threatened his daughter's engagement (Giorgio: Pura siccome un angelo, iddio mi diè una figlia – "Pure as an angel, God gave me a daughter") because of Violetta's reputation. Meanwhile, he reluctantly becomes impressed by Violetta's nobility, something which he did not expect from

1501-418: Is based on La Dame aux camélias (1852), a play by Alexandre Dumas fils , which he adapted from his own 1848 novel. The opera was originally titled Violetta , after the main character. It was first performed on 6 March 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

1580-468: Is heard singing about love as he walks down the street. Scene 1: Violetta's country house outside Paris Three months later, Alfredo and Violetta are living together in a peaceful country house outside Paris. Violetta has fallen in love with Alfredo and she has completely abandoned her former life. Alfredo sings of their happy life together (Alfredo: De' miei bollenti spiriti / Il giovanile ardore – "The youthful ardor of my ebullient spirits"). Annina,

1659-538: Is ready. Alfredo leaves with handfuls of money. As everyone is leaving the room, Violetta has asked Alfredo to see her. Fearing that the Baron's anger will lead him to challenge Alfredo to a duel, she gently asks Alfredo to leave. Alfredo misunderstands her apprehension and demands that she admit that she loves the Baron. In grief, she makes that admission and, furiously, Alfredo calls the guests to witness what he has to say ( Questa donna conoscete? – "You know this woman?"). He humiliates and denounces Violetta in front of

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1738-560: Is similar to that of established opera festivals like the Santa Fe Opera , where operas are performed alternately, allowing visitors to see multiple works within a few days. According to Scott Cantrell of the Dallas Morning News , "Fort Worth Opera has become one of the country's premier opera festivals." The company booked its second main-stage world premiere, Before Night Falls by Cuban-American composer Jorge Martín , based on

1817-495: Is something about Alfredo that touches her heart. He is about to leave when she gives him a flower, telling him to return it when it has wilted, which will be the very next day. After the guests leave, Violetta wonders if Alfredo could actually be the one in her life (Violetta: È strano! ... Ah, fors' è lui – "Ah, perhaps he is the one"). But she concludes that she needs freedom to live her life (Violetta, Alfredo: Sempre libera – "Always free"). From off stage, Alfredo's voice

1896-718: The African diaspora , initially lasting a week before becoming a month-long observation since 1970. It is celebrated in February in the United States and Canada , where it has received official recognition from governments, and more recently has also been celebrated in Ireland and the United Kingdom where it is observed in October. The precursor to Black History Month was created in 1926 in

1975-713: The Black German community began observing Black History Month. Programs have included discussions of black Europeans, international African perspectives, the history of civil rights in the U.S., and apartheid in South Africa. In 1995, after a motion by politician Jean Augustine , representing the riding of Etobicoke—Lakeshore in Ontario, Canada's House of Commons officially recognized February as Black History Month ( French : Mois de l'histoire des Noirs ) and honored Black Canadians . In 2008, Senator Donald Oliver moved to have

2054-579: The Fort Worth Stockyards . The new association went through several management changes before it hired Rudolf Kruger as the musical director in 1955. Under Kruger's guidance, Fort Worth Opera went on to become an arts company of note, especially during the 1960s, when it helped launch the careers of Plácido Domingo and Beverly Sills . In 1982, the Fort Worth Opera executive board moved to reduce Kruger's responsibilities and began searching for

2133-548: The Senate officially recognize Black History Month, which was unanimously approved. Canada defines the festivity as an opportunity to celebrate "the achievements and contributions of Black Canadians and their communities who … have done so much to make Canada a culturally diverse, compassionate, and prosperous country". Ireland's Great Hunger Institute , at Quinnipiac University in Connecticut , notes: "Black History Month Ireland

2212-795: The Théâtre-Italien at the Salle Ventadour in Paris, and on 27 October 1864 in French as Violetta (an adaptation by Édouard Duprez, older brother of the tenor Gilbert Duprez ) at the Théâtre Lyrique on the Place du Châtelet with Christina Nilsson in the title role. The French adaptation of the libretto was published in 1865. According to the Encyclopædia Britannica , La traviata became one of

2291-664: The White House as part of Black History Month. When asked by President Barack Obama why she was there, McLaurin said: "A Black president. A Black wife. And I'm here to celebrate Black history. That's what I'm here for." In the United Kingdom, Black History Month was first celebrated in October 1987 The year of 1987, recognized as the African Jubilee, was coincidentally the year of the 150th anniversary of Caribbean emancipation,

2370-525: The stagione style – one opera at a time over the fall and winter – Fort Worth Opera announced unprecedented change in February 2006: it would condense its entire schedule to an annual spring festival, with all of its operas and concerts being presented over a four-week period. The inaugural Fort Worth Opera Festival opened in May 2007 and featured the company's first main-stage world premiere, Frau Margot , by composer Thomas Pasatieri . The scheduling of performances

2449-616: The 1930s, Negro History Week countered the growing myth of the South's "lost cause" , which argued that enslaved people had been well-treated, that the Civil War was a war of "northern aggression", and that Black people had been better off under slavery. Woodson wrote, "When you control a man's thinking you do not have to worry about his actions, you do not have to tell him not to stand here or go yonder. He will find his 'proper place' and will stay in it." Negro History Week grew in popularity throughout

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2528-503: The Black community, the creation of Black History Month was met with enthusiastic response; it prompted the creation of Black history clubs, an increase in interest among teachers, and interest from progressive whites. Since its inception, Black History Month has expanded beyond its initial acceptance in educational establishments. Carter Woodson's organization, now known as the Association for

2607-585: The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, Voices for Votes , a series of mini-concerts to entertain voters waiting in long lines to cast their ballot on Election Day, and A Night of Black Excellence , an all-star concert in celebration of Black History Month . Each season, Fort Worth Opera hosts young professional singers-in-residence, the FWO Lesley Apprentice Artists. The Lesley Apprentice Artists gain training and experience, mostly through

2686-899: The La Fenice performances] it was a fiasco; now it has created a furore. Draw your own conclusions!" reported Piave (who had overseen the production in Verdi's absence). The opera (in the revised version) was first performed in Madrid on 1 February 1855 with Spezia-Aldighieri at Teatro Real , in Vienna on 4 May 1855 in Italian and in Barcelona on 25 October at Gran Teatre del Liceu . It was first performed in England on 24 May 1856 in Italian at Her Majesty's Theatre in London, where it

2765-536: The Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), designates a theme each year. For example, "Black Health and Wellness" in 2022 focused on medical scholars, health care providers, and health outcomes. The Wall Street Journal describes Black History Month as "a time when the culture and contributions of African Americans take center stage" in a variety of cultural institutions, including theaters, libraries, and museums. Black History Month has garnered attention from

2844-743: The U.S. business community. In 2018, Instagram created its first Black History Month program with the help of its Head of Global Music & Youth Culture Communications, SHAVONE. Instagram's Black History Month program featured a series of first-time initiatives, including a #BlackGirlMagic partnership with Spotify and the launch of the #CelebrateBlackCreatives program, which reached more than 19 million followers. In February 2020, many American corporations commemorated Black History Month, including The Coca-Cola Company , Google , Target Corporation , Macy's , United Parcel Service and Under Armour . On February 18, 2016, 106-year Washington, D.C., resident and school volunteer Virginia McLaurin visited

2923-596: The UK was held in London on October 1, 1987, when Dr. Maulana Karenga from the US was invited to an event by the Greater London Council about Black people's contributions to history. Some institutions have faced criticism for supporting Black History Month with images of people from British Asian backgrounds, using the term "black" to refer to political blackness encompassing all people of color. In Berlin in 1990, members of

3002-539: The United States, when historian Carter G. Woodson and the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH) announced the second week of February to be "Negro History Week". This week was chosen because it coincided with the birthday of Abraham Lincoln on February 12 and that of Frederick Douglass on February 14, both of which Black communities had celebrated since the late 19th century. For example, in January 1897, school teacher Mary Church Terrell persuaded

3081-703: The Washington, D.C. school board to set aside the afternoon of Douglass's birthday as Douglass Day to teach about his life and work in the city's segregated public schools . The thought process behind the week was never recorded, but scholars acknowledge two reasons for its birth: recognition and importance. In 1915, Woodson had participated in the Lincoln Jubilee , a celebration of the 50 years since emancipation from slavery held in Bronzeville, Chicago . The summer-long Jubilee, which drew thousands of attendees from across

3160-532: The centenary of the birth of Marcus Garvey and the 25th anniversary of the Organization of African Unity , an institution dedicated to advancing the progress of African states. Black History Month in the UK was organised through the leadership of Ghanaian analyst Akyaaba Addai-Sebo , who had served as a coordinator of special projects for the Greater London Council (GLC) and created a collaboration to get it underway. The first Black History Month celebration in

3239-439: The chosen soprano, the 38-year-old Fanny Salvini-Donatelli for taking the role of Violetta. Verdi was distraught, for he held on to the notion that the opera could be staged in modern dress—as Stiffelio had been done—Piave was sent back to Sant'Agata to no avail: he could not persuade the composer to back down on his insistence that another soprano be secured, yet the 15 January deadline for securing one had come and gone. Verdi

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3318-471: The company has introduced more American and modern repertory to its programming, although it continues to produce mostly classical opera. On February 13, 2017, the Fort Worth Opera board of directors dismissed Woods from his post, citing differences over the future artistic and financial goals of the company. Following the cancellation of the 2020 Festival due to the COVID-19 pandemic , Fort Worth Opera announced

3397-612: The company's Children's Opera Theatre and in small roles within season productions. This program and the FWO Studio Artist program bring opera to approximately 40,000 school children each year across the state of Texas, including those in low-income and low-performing schools. Fort Worth Opera also offers “Student Night at the Opera,” final dress rehearsals open to middle and high school students, and student rush discounts as part of its educational outreach. After 60 years of producing opera in

3476-568: The company's eighth general director. The appointment of Ms. Battle, a native of Amarillo, marked a return to her home state of Texas, where she graduated from the University of Houston with a degree in Voice Performance, before attending Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey , and receiving a Master of Music in Voice Performance and Pedagogy. After carving out a successful career as

3555-469: The composer refused. As Budden notes, it came to be Venice "that made an honest woman of Violetta" when Verdi allowed a performance at the Teatro San Benedetto . Some revisions took place between 1853 and May 1854, mostly affecting acts 2 and 3, but the opera was performed again on 6 May 1854 and was a great success, largely due to Maria Spezia-Aldighieri 's portrayal of Violetta. "Then [referring to

3634-478: The country in educational institutions, centers of Black culture, and community centers, both great and small, when President Gerald Ford recognized Black History Month in 1976, during the celebration of the United States Bicentennial . He urged Americans to "seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history". In

3713-565: The county to see exhibitions of heritage and culture, impressed Woodson with the need to draw organized focus to the history of black people. He led the founding of the ASNLH in Chicago that fall, toward the end of the Jubilee. Early in the event's history, African-American newspapers lent crucial support. From the event's initial phase, primary emphasis was placed on encouraging the coordinated teaching of

3792-516: The couple attended a performance of Alexander Dumas fils ' s The Lady of the Camellias . As a result of this, Verdi's biographer Mary Jane Phillips-Matz reports, the composer immediately began to compose music for what would later become La traviata . However, Julian Budden notes that Verdi had probably read the Dumas novel some time before, and, after seeing the play and returning to Italy, "he

3871-633: The desk, strengthens his suspicions. He decides to confront Violetta at the party. Giorgio tries to stop Alfredo, but he rushes out. Scene 2: Party at Flora's house At the party, the Marquis tells Flora that Violetta and Alfredo have separated, much to the amazement of everyone who had previously seen the happy couple. She calls for the entertainers to perform for the guests (Chorus: Noi siamo zingarelle venute da lontano – "We are gypsy girls who have come from afar"; Di Madride noi siam mattadori – "We are matadors from Madrid"). Gastone and his friends join

3950-454: The event as "one of the most fortunate steps ever taken by the Association", and plans for an annual repeat of the event continued. At the time of Negro History Week's launch, Woodson contended that the teaching of Black History was essential to ensure the physical and intellectual survival of Blacks within broader society: If a race has no history, it has no worthwhile tradition, it becomes

4029-418: The first act of the opera, creating a Parisian atmosphere). The concluding part of Violetta's solo scene that ends the first act is full of vocal decoration and feverish ornamentation as she swears to stay free ("Sempre libera"). These coloratura effects are not required for the character after the first act. The lengthy and crucial duet between the elder Germont and Violetta in act 2 is multi-sectioned with

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4108-454: The first act, to the more dramatic passages of the second, and the spiritual quality of her music as she dies in act 3. Black History Month Black History Month is an annually observed commemorative month originating in the United States , where it is also known as African-American History Month. It began as a way of remembering important people and events in the history of

4187-406: The following decades, with mayors across the United States endorsing it as a holiday. Black educators and Black United Students at Kent State University first proposed Black History Month in February 1969. The first celebration of Black History Month took place at Kent State a year later, from January 2 to February 28, 1970. Six years later, Black History Month was being celebrated all across

4266-559: The guests and then throws his winnings at her feet in payment for her services. She faints onto the floor. The guests reprimand Alfredo ( Di donne ignobile insultatore, di qua allontanati, ne desti orror! - "Ignoble insulter of women, go away from here, you fill us with horror!"). In search of his son, Giorgio enters the hall and, knowing the real significance of the scene, denounces his son's behavior (Giorgio, Alfredo, Violetta, chorus: Di sprezzo degno sè stesso rende chi pur nell'ira la donna offende. – "A man, who even in anger, offends

4345-416: The history of Black Americans in the nation's public schools . The first Negro History Week was met with a lukewarm response, gaining the cooperation of the departments of education of the states of North Carolina , Delaware , and West Virginia as well as the city school administrations of Baltimore , New York City , Philadelphia , and Washington, D.C. Despite this limited observance, Woodson regarded

4424-468: The hundreds." But at the same time, the composer expressed concern about censorship in Venice, something with which he was very familiar after his dealings with the censors concerning Rigoletto . As the months dragged on into October, it was agreed that Piave would come to Sant'Agata (Verdi's home near Busseto ) and work with the composer. One subject was chosen, Piave set to work, and then Verdi threw in another idea, which may have been La traviata . Within

4503-616: The joyful cups"). From the next room, the sound of the orchestra is heard and the guests move there to dance. After a series of severe coughs and almost fainting, Violetta begins to feel dizzy and asks her guests to go ahead and to leave her to rest until she recovers. While the guests dance in the next room, Violetta looks at her pale face in her mirror. Alfredo enters and expresses his concern for her fragile health, later declaring his love for her (Alfredo, Violetta: Un dì, felice, eterea – "One day, happy and ethereal"). At first, she rejects him because his love means nothing to her, but there

4582-466: The launch of the FWO Green Room , a new digital initiative. As opera companies across the globe continue to explore innovative ways to connect with audiences and build dynamic relationships through technology, the organization offered a blend of entertaining and interactive online content for opera lovers. The FWO Green Room included a partnership with internationally renounced soprano Jennifer Rowley for

4661-428: The maid, arrives from Paris, and, when questioned by Alfredo, tells him that she went there to sell the horses, carriages and everything owned by Violetta to support their country lifestyle. Alfredo is shocked to learn this and leaves for Paris immediately to settle matters himself. Violetta returns home and receives an invitation from her friend, Flora, to a party in Paris that evening. Alfredo's father, Giorgio Germont,

4740-479: The matadors and sing (Gastone, chorus, dancers: È Piquillo un bel gagliardo Biscaglino mattador – "Piquillo is a bold and handsome matador from Biscay"). Violetta arrives with Baron Douphol. They see Alfredo at the gambling table. When he sees them, Alfredo loudly proclaims that he will take Violetta home with him. Feeling annoyed, the Baron goes to the gambling table and joins him in a game. As they bet, Alfredo wins some large sums until Flora announces that supper

4819-406: The memoirs of Cuban poet and writer Reinaldo Arenas . Before Night Falls was featured in the company's 2010 Festival along with Don Giovanni and The Elixir of Love . In 2021, Fort Worth Opera announced repertory, casting, and live performances for its landmark 75th anniversary season, including the world premiere of composer-librettist Héctor Armienta's Zorro . After 14 years of producing

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4898-537: The month was dedicated to Josephine Baker , a dancer and member of the French Resistance during World War II born in the United States. In 2020, Black History Month was celebrated in seven African countries for the first time. Participating countries were Benin , Burkina Faso , Chad , Ivory Coast , Comores , Senegal and Cameroon . The event was initiated by the organisation Africa Mondo founded by Mélina Seymour . From 2021 onwards an African History Month

4977-516: The most frequently performed operas during Verdi's lifetime. It is often ranked highly on annual lists of most performed operas. The salon in Violetta's house Violetta Valéry, a famed courtesan , throws a lavish party at her Paris salon to celebrate her recovery from an illness. Gastone, a viscount , has brought with him a friend, Alfredo Germont, a young bourgeois from a provincial family who has long adored Violetta from afar. While walking to

5056-406: The music following the changing dramatic situation. La traviata is the only one of Verdi's many operas to be set entirely indoors. Unlike Il trovatore , which was composed simultaneously, La traviata is an intimate piece, full of tender lyricism. The character of Violetta dominates the work and her music changes as she develops through the drama, from the hectic, almost hysterical coloratura of

5135-403: The opera begins with very soft, very high strings depicting the frail heroine, followed by the main love theme of the opera, which is then played on lower strings while the higher instruments decorate the melody. This delicate atmosphere is altered on curtain rise by lively dance tunes in the orchestra. After the famous "Brindisi", an offstage band plays a series of waltzes (waltz rhythms pervade

5214-455: The original inspiration for Black History Month, which was a desire to redress how American schools failed to represent Black historical figures as anything other than enslaved people or colonial subjects, Black History Month could reduce complex historical figures to overly simplified objects of " hero worship ". Other critics refer to the celebration as a form of racism. Actor and director Morgan Freeman and actress Stacey Dash have criticized

5293-478: The parts of the on-stage band, but rather composed it in the style of a piano reduction, leaving the actual realization to the person in charge of the band. Over the years many versions were created, varying from theater to theater depending on the instruments available, but none of them is authoritative. A widespread version is: 1 piccolo, 4 clarinets, 2 horns, flugelhorn , 3 trumpets, at least 2 trombones, low brasses (number unspecified), bass drum. The prelude to

5372-405: 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. For Verdi, the years 1851 to 1853 were filled with operatic activity. First, he had agreed with the librettist Salvadore Cammarano on

5451-571: The plot's immoral, but I don't see that it's so much worse than many others, not to speak of Don Giovanni , which as put on the stage is little but rampant lechery", while 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 ." The opera was first performed in France on 6 December 1856 in Italian by

5530-432: The room to tell Violetta of Alfredo's arrival. The lovers are reunited and Alfredo suggests that they leave Paris (Alfredo, Violetta: Parigi, o cara, noi lasceremo – "We will leave Paris, O beloved"). But it is too late: she knows her death approaches (Alfredo, Violetta: Gran Dio!...morir sì giovane – "Great God!...to die so young"). Alfredo's father enters with the doctor, regretting what he has done. After singing

5609-486: The salon, Gastone tells Violetta that Alfredo loves her, and that while she was ill, he came to her house every day. Alfredo joins them, admitting the truth of Gastone's remarks. Baron Douphol, Violetta's current lover, waits nearby to escort her to the salon. Once there, the Baron is asked to give a toast, but refuses, and the crowd turns to Alfredo, who agrees to sing a brindisi – a drinking song (Alfredo, Violetta, chorus: Libiamo ne' lieti calici – "Let's drink from

5688-460: The servant brings the letter to Alfredo and, as soon as he has read it, Giorgio returns and attempts to comfort his son, reminding him of his family in Provence (Giorgio: Di Provenza il mar, il suol chi dal cor ti cancellò? – "Who erased the sea, the land of Provence from your heart?"). Alfredo suspects that the Baron is behind his separation from Violetta, and the party invitation, which he finds on

5767-422: The state departments of education of "every state with considerable Negro population" had made the event known to that state's teachers and distributed official literature associated with the event. Churches also played a significant role in the distribution of literature in association with Negro History Week during this initial period, with the mainstream and Black press aiding in the publicity effort. Throughout

5846-436: Was already setting up an ideal operatic cast for it in his mind", shown by his dealings with La Fenice. Francesco Maria Piave was engaged to write the new libretto and the two men tried to come up with a suitable subject, but the composer complained that his librettist "had not yet offered him an 'original' or 'provocative' idea". Writing to Piave, he added that "I don't want any of those everyday subjects that one can find by

5925-413: Was celebrated in March. When first established, Black History Month resulted in some controversy. Those who believed that Black History Month was limited to educational institutions questioned whether it was appropriate to confine the celebration of Black history to one month, as opposed to the integration of Black history into mainstream education for the whole year. Another concern was that, contrary to

6004-746: Was considered morally questionable, and "the heads of the Church did their best to put an injunction upon performance; the Queen refrained from visiting the theatre during the performances, though the music, words and all, were not unheard at the palace". It was first performed in the United States by the Max Maretzek Italian Opera Company on 3 December 1856 in Italian at the Academy of Music in New York. George Templeton Strong noted in his diary: "People say

6083-420: Was filled with premonitions of disaster upon his arrival in Venice on 21 February for rehearsals and he made his unhappiness clear to the singers. The audience jeered at times during the premiere, directing some of their scorn at the casting of soprano Fanny Salvini-Donatelli in the lead role of Violetta. Though she was an acclaimed singer, they considered her to be too old (at 38) and overweight to credibly play

6162-647: Was initiated in Cork in 2010. This location seems particularly appropriate as, in the 19th century, the city was a leading center of abolition , and the male and female anti-slavery societies welcomed several black abolitionists to lecture there, including Charles Lenox Remond and Frederick Douglass ." In France, Black History Month was first organized in 2018 in Bordeaux . Since then, there have been celebrations in Paris , Le Havre , Guadeloupe , La Rochelle and Bayonne . In 2022

6241-406: Was reminded that his contract called for him to be in Venice within a week or two and for the premiere to be held on the "first Saturday in March 1853". However, it soon became clear that a modern-dress staging of the new opera was impossible—the requirement was that it should be set in the 17th century "in the era of Richelieu "—and reports from the opening of the season confirmed the limitations of

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