Paris Extraordinaire set the stage for La Traviata

What an amazing 2023 Annual Gala in which I was invited as press! Thank you to Jim Sohre and Opera Las Vegas for a great evening. It was delighted to be part of this well-organized event and hear beautiful voices such as opera singers Athena Mertes and Marco Varela who sang one of my favorite Bocelli duets “Con te Partiro/ Time to say Goodbye.” Also, congratulations to singer Pia Zadora on her well-deserved Lifetime Achievement Award. Ms. Zadora began her professional career as a child on Broadway and in regional theater. She won a Golden Globe Award as “new Star of the year,” after she caught the public attention in a film. Then, she transitioned to performing in musical appearances. She frequently performs now at the iconic Italian restaurant Piero’s. Her mother was known for being the wardrobe supervisor at the Metropolitan Opera and enduring contributions to the Performing Arts.

Opera singers Athena Mertes and Marco Varela. Photo Credit: French Quarter Magazine.

Isabelle Karamooz, Marco Varela and Jim Sohre. Photo Credit: French Quarter Magazine.

Following the “Paris Extraordinaire” Gala at the M Resorts last February 25th, 2023 I questioned myself whether the city of Paris played a role in inspiring or setting the scene for Giuseppe Verdi’s opera “La Traviata,” then I did a bit of research to find out that the answer is yes.

“La Traviata” is set in mid-19th century Paris, and the city’s social and cultural scene is an important backdrop for the story. The opera follows the tragic love story of the courtesan Violetta Valery and her lover Alfredo Germont, who live in Paris and are part of the city’s high society.

Paris was a center of artistic and cultural activity during this time, and Verdi was undoubtedly influenced by the city’s music, art, and fashion. The opera also reflects the social mores and attitudes of the time, including the idea that women of Violetta’s profession were not considered respectable members of society.

“La Traviata” is an opera composed by Giuseppe Verdi with a libretto by Francesco Maria Piave. The story of “La Traviata” set in Paris and the city plays a significant role in shaping the story and setting in several ways:

Social life and class structure: Paris in the mid-19th century was a hub of social activity and entertainment, particularly for the wealthy and aristocratic classes. The opera revolves around the love affair between the Parisian courtesan, Violetta, and the young nobleman, Alfredo. The setting of Paris allows for the exploration of social class structures and the norms of the upper classes.

Parisian nightlife: Paris was famous for its vibrant nightlife, which plays a prominent role in the opera. Many of the scenes take place in Parisian cafes, ballrooms, and parties, which provide a colorful and lively backdrop for the characters’ interactions and conflicts.

Romanticism and decadence: The opera takes place during the Romantic era, a time of great artistic and cultural innovation, but also of decadence and excess. The setting of Paris, with its artistic and intellectual community, embodies this cultural milieu, which serves as the backdrop for the tragic love story between Violetta and Alfredo.

Illness and death: The setting of Paris also plays a role in the tragic ending of the opera. Violetta’s tuberculosis, a common illness in the polluted and crowded city, underscores the fragility of life in this urban environment and serves as a metaphor for the transience of love and beauty.

In summary, Paris plays an important role in shaping the story and setting of “La Traviata,” providing a backdrop for the exploration of social class, nightlife, Romanticism and decadence, and the fragility of life and love.

About the Author

Isabelle Karamooz, Founder of FQM is originally from Versailles, France. She always wanted to see the world, which she did starting at 17 when she had the fortunate opportunity to study abroad in Rhonda, Spain. She traveled the world from Hong Kong to Taiwan, from Ireland to Austria, to Luxembourg, Liechtenstein and Monaco, and discovered the entire countries of Italy and Morocco. She really feels like a citizen of the world. She finally settled several years in Los Angeles where she worked at the French Consulate of Los Angeles. Passionate about the Arts and History, she earned a Bachelor's degree in History from the University of California Berkeley and have studied for a Master program in teaching at the University of Southern California, then she went on to teach French to aspiring UNLV and CSN students in Nevada. She is the founder and Editor in chief of French Quarter Magazine, in which she writes, interviews people in a wide range of circumstances, pitches story ideas to writers and journalists, takes photos, and is currently writing her first work in English, which spans the life of Coco Chanel and is filled with adventure, intrigue, history and love.