| The aria "Addio Al Passato Bei Sogni Ridenti" is | | | | past which causes her to lament what might have |
| haunting as it is one of Violetta saying good bye | | | | been. It being these sensations which she |
| to all the dreams of the past; it giving rise to | | | | expresses in her aria "Addio Al Passato Bei Sogni |
| sentiments on my part which I declare in the | | | | Ridenti" in which she sings about all the love and |
| following poetic manner towards not only this aria | | | | dreams of the past which she must say "addio" |
| but Angela Gheorghiu. | | | | (this word meaning good bye forever in Italian) to |
| "Angela celestial being who take on form of | | | | for they will never be again. |
| Traviata ever delicate creature so tender yet | | | | In my opinion it is this particular aria which is the |
| loving of her gallant Alfredo, for in her dwell | | | | essence of tragic drama in Italian opera, as the |
| sentiments to permit her to soar while to me she | | | | music manages to capture a sense of weight in |
| be all the passion of opera in this world of blissful | | | | the sadness of the occasion while allowing us to |
| stylishness." | | | | see that there was once a glimmer of hope which |
| In act three of "La Traviata", Violetta is no longer | | | | unfortunately was not to be. "Addio Al Passato |
| living with Alfredo, for she is on her own and has | | | | Bei Sogni Ridenti" begins with this title being sung |
| been left practically penniless with only, Annina | | | | by a soprano (it being an aria for such a voice) |
| (her devoted servant) by her side. Violetta | | | | who in a romantic way describes what could have |
| however is also sick with consumption (today | | | | been yet turned tragic. This making it to my ear |
| known as tuberculosis) while in the early hours of | | | | if no one else's an aria which though sad in nature |
| the morning she welcomes the doctor, who | | | | also demonstrates optimism by the interpreter |
| reassures her that she is getting better though he | | | | despite all which has led to present circumstances. |
| does not omit the truth to Annina that she in fact | | | | I, for my part also feel that there is something |
| is dying and has but hours left. It is under these | | | | about this particular aria which is ideal for a |
| circumstances that we find Violetta, who reads | | | | soprano like Angela Gheorghiu; for it requires the |
| over the letter she got from Giorgio Germont | | | | sort of personality who like "La Traviata" herself |
| (Alfredo's father) informing her that he has finally | | | | can to a certain degree remain defiant in recalling |
| told his son of the real reason for his break up | | | | the romance and her feelings in spite of all that be |
| with her. It is also in this letter that she is made | | | | in this room and morning which she knows all too |
| aware that Alfredo will soon be over to see her | | | | well she will not see out. Many are the sopranos |
| and furthermore to beg her to forgive him for his | | | | who have performed this particular aria with each |
| past actions toward her. | | | | one of them adding something to it in their own |
| It is as Violetta is reading the letter that she | | | | style yet I am of the believe that Angela |
| hears Alfredo's words of adoration for her on the | | | | Gheorghiu has something about her temperament |
| evening on which they first encountered. She | | | | which allows her to in a way transform herself in |
| however likewise senses her illness which fills her | | | | to Violetta with a tenderness that my tastes |
| with sorrow as she thinks about her romantic | | | | simply ravishes over. |