La Traviata – Giuseppe Verdi: Opera in the Crypt

About the Event

Experience Verdi’s “La Traviata” in the impressive setting of the OPER in the KRYPTA with an ideal cast! This extraordinary venue offers an intimate and atmospheric setting that brings out the emotions and drama of this masterpiece even more intensely.
The Krypta, with its unique acoustics, creates a closeness to the performers that makes every heart beat faster. Immerse yourself in the moving story of Violetta and Alfredo with a production that gets right under your skin.
Slightly abridged and with piano accompaniment, the focus is entirely on the moving plot, which is impossible to resist.
OPER in der KRYPTA stands for authentic opera theater. Established as Austria’s smallest opera house, its performances captivate audiences with their high quality and unusual venue. Located deep beneath Vienna’s St. Peter’s Church, the atmospheric hall offers intimate and unforgettable experiences of the classics.
The KRYPTA maintains a pleasant temperature year‐round.

The plot
The courtesan Violetta Valery hosts a party at her salon in Paris. Her young admirer, Alfredo Germont, strikes up a drinking song to impress her. After Violetta has a coughing fit, Alfredo seizes the opportunity to declare the sincerity of his love for her. Unsure of her own feelings, she gives him a camellia blossom as a token. He is to return as soon as it has wilted.
Three months later, Violetta and Alfredo are living in the countryside as a carefree couple, at Violetta’s expense. When Alfredo realizes this with shame, he sets off for Paris to raise money on his own.
During this time, Alfredo’s father, Giorgio Germont, visits Violetta to demand that she break up with his son. Their scandalous relationship would stand in the way of his daughter’s happiness, whose marriage befitting her social standing is now in jeopardy. Violetta agrees, knowing she is already doomed to certain death. She is suffering from consumption. Impressed by her sincerity and devotion, Germont takes his leave.
Upon his return, Alfredo finds a distraught Violetta writing a letter. She quickly leaves, and a messenger hands Alfredo her farewell letter. In despair, he reads that she has decided to return to her old way of life and has renounced him.
Germont tries to comfort his son with tender care, but to no avail. After a public scandal at a party, during which Alfredo, driven by jealousy, insults Violetta in the most unspeakable way, she withdraws from society for good.
Months later, Violetta’s condition deteriorates dramatically. Germont writes to her, telling her that he has informed Alfredo of their agreement. Alfredo now intends to rush back to her soon. Violetta knows that they no longer have a future together and bids farewell to her love and her life.
Suddenly, Alfredo bursts in, and this fleeting moment of happiness seems to restore all hope. Germont appears and reaffirms his love for her, but it is too late. Violetta gives Alfredo her portrait, asking him to find a new bride and new happiness. She says she will pray for this in heaven. She rises one last time, only to meet her death.

Practical Information

The KRYPTA is pleasantly warm at any time of year.

The 'Opera in the Crypt' series is a unique form of presenting opera at its very essence. With piano accompaniment, talented singers in costumes perform the works in the exceptional, intimate atmosphere of the crypt under St. Peter's Church. Through the short distance between audience and musicians you can experience opera in a way you have never heard or seen it before.

Cast / Production

Violetta Valéry – Tehmine Schaeffer, soprano
Alfredo Germont – Sergio Tallo‐Torres, tenor
Giorgio Germont – Florian Pejrimovsky, bass‐baritone

Musical Director: Maximilian Schamschula, piano