La traviata: Prelude to Act I

The prelude falls into two parts. In the first, a hush of very high strings in B minor pictures the fragile Violetta, followed by a transition. With section A the key turns to E major and the love theme sings in the lower strings, while a light countermelody in the violins is heard by one commentator as the courtesan's gaiety. An episode leads to the theme's return and a varied version (A′). The coda closes the prelude.

1. 0:03Introduction
2. Transition