December 4, 2026, 7:00 PM
State Opera Varna
"La Traviata"
Opera by Giuseppe Verdi
Libretto by Francesco Maria Piave, based on the novel *The Lady of the Camellias* by Alexandre Dumas *fils*
Conductor: Jacopo Sipari di Pescasseroli
Production Design: Kuzman Popov
Director: Srebrina Sokolova
Cast:
Violetta: Alexandrina Mihaylova
Alfredo Germont: Valeriy Georgiev
Giorgio Germont: Svilen Nikolov
Flora: Rozaliya Zhelyazkova
Annina: Galina Velikova
Gastone: Artyom Arutyunov
Baron Douphol: Geo Chobanov
Marquis d'Obigny: Lev Karavan
Doctor Grenvil: Petar Petrov
Giuseppe: Mykola Kovalik
Featuring the Chorus and Orchestra of the State Opera Varna
"La Traviata" belongs to Verdi’s famous trilogy, which also includes "Rigoletto" and "Il Trovatore." Chronologically, it is Verdi’s eighteenth composition and perhaps the one that most clearly foreshadows his mature period—a time that saw the creation of operas such as "Don Carlos," "Aida," "Otello," and "Falstaff." The libretto for "La Traviata" is based on the sensational novel *The Lady of the Camellias* by Alexandre Dumas *fils*. It is well known that the novel’s plot was based on the author’s own personal drama—the story of his love for the famous courtesan Marie Duplessis. The daughter of poor peasants, Marie was sent to Paris by her parents as a very young girl to find work. Exceptionally beautiful and elegant, she became one of the most alluring women in Parisian society at the time. Alexandre Dumas *fils* (the son) met her and was captivated by her charm from their very first encounter. Their romance did not last long, however; it was brought to an end by the interference of his father—the renowned novelist Alexandre Dumas *père* (the father), author of famous works such as *The Three Musketeers* and *The Count of Monte Cristo*. Interestingly, the character of Georges Germont is actually modeled on the famous writer Alexandre Dumas *père*. In the novel *The Lady of the Camellias*, the author—his son—portrays him as far crueler and much less noble than he appears in the opera.
After seeing a stage adaptation of Dumas *fils*’s novel in Paris in 1852, Verdi commissioned his frequent collaborator, Francesco Maria Piave (1810–1876), to write the libretto. The plot was condensed and altered, and the names were changed from the original: Marguerite became Violetta, Armand became Alfredo, and the title became *La Traviata*.
The premiere of *La Traviata* took place on March 6, 1853, in Venice. Initially, it was received with reserve, and opinions were mixed. However, *La Traviata* soon gained a reputation as one of the most popular and frequently staged operas in the world—a status it retains to this day.
A testament to the work's immortality can be found in the words of Alexandre Dumas *fils*. Upon hearing Verdi’s opera, the writer exclaimed: "In fifty years, no one will remember my *The Lady of the Camellias*, but Verdi has immortalized it."
Tickets at the box office: Theatre and Music Production Centre – Varna, 1 Nezavisimost Square. Monday – Friday: 09:30–13:30 and 14:30–20:00; Saturday: 10:00–13:30 and 14:30–19:00; Sunday: 11:00–16:00. Phone: +359 52 665 022; for reservations, call: +359 52 665 020.
Tickets online: Eventim
