La Traviata: Act I Finale, Scena ed Aria: Ah fors' e lui; Sempre libera (soprano) (excerpt): Serious Opera, Orchestra Accompaniment

La Traviata (The Fallen Woman) is based on La Dame aux camélias (1852), a play adapted from the novel by Alexandre Dumas fils. The opera was originally titled Violetta, after the main character. 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, ca. 1700. It was not until the 1880's 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. This excerpt from the end of Act 1 is among the most well-known in opera, where Violetta wonders if Alfredo could be her one great love (È strano!... Ah, fors' è lui - "Ah, perhaps he is the one"), but decides that she needs her freedom (Sempre libera - "Always free.") Instrumentation: 2+Picc.2.2.2: 4.2.3.1: Hp: Str (4-4-3-3-3 in set): Solo Voice.