La Traviata is an opera in four acts by Giuseppe Verdi to an Italian libretto, based on the novel La Dame aux Camelias by Alaxandre Dumas and was originally performed in Venice in 1853. Tranlated, it means 'woman who strayed', or 'the lost one'.
In early eighteenth century Paris, Violetta, a successful courtesan, is throwing a lavish party to celebrate her recent recovery from an illness. Attending the party is Alfredo, who has longed to meet Voiletta. She initially rejects his love in favour of her freedom, but eventually relents. Falling in love with him despite herself, the two live an idyllic existence in the countryside on the outskirts of Paris.
All is well until Alfredo's father approaches Violetta, reprimanding her for ruining his son's life with her reputation and social status. Guiltily and heart-wrenchingly, Violetta leaves Alfredo who believes she has left him for another man. Years later, when Violetta has once again fallen ill, the two reunite, but Alfredo has realized too late that she sacrificed herself for him.
La Traviata is, according to Opera America magazine, the third most performed play in North America after Puccini's Madama Butterfly and La Boheme, which is illustrative of its long-standing popularity, continuing to draw crowds to see this tragic tale of love and sacrifice.