DESCRIPTION:
La traviata - The Fallen Woman - is an opera in three acts by Giuseppe Verdi.

Painting - La Traviata, Scene 1.
Artist - Carl d'Unker (1828–1866)

"Libiamo ne' lieti calici"
"Let's drink from the joyful cups" is a famous duet with chorus from Giuseppe Verdi's La traviata, one of the best-known opera melodies and a popular performance choice for many great tenors. The song is a brindisi, a lively song that encourages the drinking of wine or other alcoholic beverages.

Libretto by Francesco Maria Piave

Italian
Brindisi (Libiamo ne'lieti calici)

[Alfredo]
Libiamo, libiamo ne'lieti calici
che la bellezza infiora.
E la fuggevol ora s'inebrii a voluttà
Libiam ne'dolci fremiti
che suscita l'amore,
poiché quell'ochio al core onnipotente va.
Libiamo, amore, amor fra i calici
più caldi baci avrà

[Coro] Ah! Libiam, amor, fra' calici più caldi baci avrà

[Violetta]
Tra voi tra voi saprò dividere
il tempo mio giocondo;
Tutto è follia, follia nel mondo
ciò che non è piacer
Godiam, fugace e rapido
e'il gaudio dell'amore,
e'un fior che nasce e muore,
ne più si può goder
Godiamo, c'invita, c'invita un fervido
accento lusinghier.

[Coro]
Godiamo, la tazza, la tazza e il cantico,
la notte abbella e il riso;
in questo paradiso ne scopra il nuovo dì

[Violetta] La vita è nel tripudio

[Alfredo] Quando non s'ami ancora...

[Violetta] Nol dite a chi l'ignora,

[Alfredo] E'il mio destin così...

[Tutti]
Godiamo, la tazza, la tazza e il cantico,
la notte abbella e il riso;
in questo paradiso ne scopra il nuovo dì.


Toast (Let's Drink From The Joyful Chalices)

[Alfredo]
Let's drink, drink from the joyful chalices
since the beautiness is blossoming.
And might the fleeting hour get inebriated at will
Let's drink among (those) sweet quivers
that Love makes arise,
since that eye goes to (his) almighty heart.
Let's drink, (my) love, (so that) love among the chalices
will get hotter kisses

[Chorus] Ah! Let's drink, (so that) love, among the chalices, will get hotter kisses

[Violetta]
With you, with you, I'll be able to share
my cheerful time;
Everything is crazy, crazy in the world
what is not pleasure
Let's enjoy (the pleasures), fleeting and fast
is the joy in love,
it's a flower that blossoms and dies,
neither it can be enjoyed longer
Let's enjoy, it's calling us, it's calling us an ardent
flattering accent.

[Chorus]
Let's enjoy, the cup* and the canticle,
the lovely night and the smiles;
might the new day find them (still) in this paradise

[Violetta] Life is in (its) jubilation

[Alfredo] When (people) aren't in love yet...

[Violetta] Don't say it to those who don't know it,

[Alfredo] So it's my destiny

[Tutti]
Let's enjoy, the cup* and the canticle,
the lovely night and the smiles;
might the new day find them (still) in this paradise.

Synopsis of “La Traviata”

Place - Paris and its vicinity
Time - 19th century

Act 1
In around the mid-19th century, in Paris, there is a great party at the salon in the house of Violetta who is the most popular high-class prostitute. A young man, Alfredo, comes to this party, and sings the song of “Brindisi.” He has adored Violetta from long before, and he uses this opportunity to express his feelings for her after singing. Violetta had believed that she had no interest in true love because of her occupation, but she is confused by Alfredo’s pure mind.

Act 2
Violetta goes out of the fashionable society, and she peacefully lives just with Alfredo in the suburbs of Paris. One day, when Alfredo is away, Violetta unexpectedly receives a visit from Alfredo’s father, Germont. He puts pressure on her to break up with Alfredo, because of her past. This upsets the marriage plans of his daughter, that is, Alfredo’s sister. Violetta is filled with sorrow, but she makes up her mind to break up with her boyfriend. She leaves their home without telling him the truth. Alfredo who knows nothing, gets angry at her breaking his trust in her.
That same night, Violetta goes back to the society in Paris, and appears accompanied by a former patron, the Baron. Alfredo pursues her, and arrives at the party. He makes accusations about her in front of all the guests.

Act 3
After a few months, Violetta lies down on her bed alone. In fact, she has been ill with a serious disease for some day. She has known about this since she lived with Alfredo. She is now seriously with death fast approaching. Finally, Alfredo rushes to her bedside. He was given a true account by his father. And Alfredo asks for her forgiveness. They swear to live together, but time is up, Violetta breathes her last breath as she remembers the time she spent with Alfredo.