The Brindisi (“Libiamo ne’lieti calici”) in Act I Scene 1 of Verdi’s La traviata is a very popular tune from the opera. The Italian term brindisi translates to the English word “toast”. In the story, Violetta hosts a party, despite being very ill with consumption [kuhn-SUHMP-shn], or tuberculosis. Violetta says, “I give myself to pleasure, since pleasure is the best medicine for my ills.” She is essentially treating her illness with a good time. This song serves as a toast, for the guests of the party give a toast to Violetta’s supposed improving health. The song features the main soprano role, Violetta, and the main male role, Alfredo, a tenor.

The Brindisi is an excellent piece for students to start to think about how composers organize music so that its listeners can easily understand it. Just like in literature, poetry, and music, the creator of the piece has to make decisions when organizing the piece in a way that allows their purpose to be supported. This work is written in a way that features each of the soloists and the joyous atmosphere of the party, which is brought to light in the particular sections in which the chorus and soloists are combined. The Brindisi starts with a brief statement of the main theme, which will be restated many times throughout the scene. This is similar to when a student is asked to write an essay, we always suggest stating one’s purpose or main idea in the first paragraph. Verdi then introduces the soloists and chorus individually before combining all the stated elements together in the final verse of the piece.

Because the form of the piece is relatively simple and the elements of the music are clear, this piece is a great opportunity for students to practice active listening and applying what they hear to formal analysis. The attached worksheet is meant to guide the students’ listening and analysis, as well as serve as a catalyst [KA-tuh-luhst] for discussion about how composers organize their music.