The Camellias Ballet

Variations of the novel The Lady of the Camellias by Alexandre Dumas fils have taken many forms such as being acted out through dance in a ballet and performed in the opera La Traviata. Although telling similar stories of heroine Marguerite Gautier and her lover Armand Duval, the artistic vision portrays different tones of these characters through emotion and stage performance. The ballet and opera remain to the original text through the display of affection between Armand and Marguerite, however, differences include how the characters are represented by their actions toward one another and atmosphere. In the original text Lady of the Camellias, there are technically four narrators that include points of view from Armand, Marguerite, Julie
In this opera Violetta Valery is Marguerite and Alfredo Germont is Armand. Violetta’s stage wardrobe is almost scandalous as she is dressed in a red dress with a white camellia. The red dress that Violetta models describes her character as bold and more in the spotlight. The white camellia represents the pureness of Violetta. While watching the Libiamo scene, Violetta is obviously flaunting her wealthy feature. Violetta is loving the attention from the background dancers while Alfredo is trying to serenade her with his love. La Traviata is more fast paced, compared to the ballet which is more graceful and
However, between the opera, ballet, and original text there could be an appeal to different audience types. For example, the ballet would cater more to audiences who prefer watching a story being acted out by body language and grace. While delicate and expressive, the ballet shows more of a passionate side of Lady of the Camellias. In an opera, views are prepared to watch thrilling, exciting, emotional, singers who express the Lady of the Camellias through more of a theatrical presence. Director preference could have a role in this as well accommodating to the appropriate