On August 27th, The Pacific Lyric Association held a gala and dinner at il Sogno Italiano restaurant in the Gaslamp District of San Diego. A precursor to their fall presentation of La Traviata, the well attended gala offered performances by several singers, silent auction items for purchase, and a sumptuous dinner. 

All eyes are now focused on what promises to be a magnificent performance of the opera La Traviata this coming fall at the California Center for the Arts.

La Traviata (The Fallen Woman) is based on La Dame aux Camelias (1852), a play by Alexandra Dumasapted from his own 1848 novel. The opera was originally titled Violetta, after the main character. It was first performed on 6 March 1853 at La Fenice opera house in Venice.

Piave and Verdi wanted to follow Dumas in giving the opera a contemporary setting, but the authorities at La Fenice insisted that it be set in the past, "c. 1700". It was not until the 1880s that the composer's and librettist's original wishes were carried out and realistic productions were staged.  La traviata has become immensely popular and is among the most frequently performed of all operas.