Act 1 of Verdi's opera performed by The Royal Carl Rosa Opera
Company from the King's Theatre, Glasgow
Scene : Violetta's Salon in Paris
Cast
Conductor, Michael Mudie
A short orchestral prelude, sad in character, opens the work. Violetta is welcoming a party. Alfred is among the guests. He is asked to sing, and gives the spirited drinking song, ' Where beauty and mirth '. He is joined by the chorus and echoed by Violetta. The strains of a waltz are heard from an adjoining room. The guests are about to proceed thither when Violetta is seized with sudden illness and obliged to rest. At her request the guests leave her to recover, but Alfred lingers and declares his love. Violetta at first refuses to take him seriously. Soon, however, she realises his deep earnestness.
Left alone, she falls to musing on this strange wondrous emotion that has entered her life, and then sings the famous ' Ah, fors' e lui ' (' Ah, was it he my heart foretold '). In the midst of her contemplation her mood changes. What hope is there of complete happiness for a woman of her light character and sullied reputation ? Rather will she leave herself free to fulfil the round of pleasure. Her lover's voice is heard outside, but Violetta refuses to be beguiled from her intention of living for pleasure alone. The first act closes here.