On Friday, October 16, 2015, hundreds of people came together on the grass of the Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia. It was a cool 66 degrees as the pre-show began at 6:00 PM. Viewers who had printed out their free tickets online traded in the pieces of paper for an orange wristband that read “Opera On The Mall” and a large pamphlet with details on the show they had all come to see, "La Traviata."

In "La Traviata," an enchanting Parisian courtesan, Violetta, learns that she is doomed to die young at the same time she falls in love with the dashing and well-off man named Alfredo, but she is forced to let him go in order to preserve her lover’s reputation. The opera is sung entirely in Italian. Lisette Oropesa brings Violetta Valéry to life with her seemingly effortless soprano and talented acting, while Alek Shrader excellently accompanies her with his gorgeous tenor as he portrays a touching Alfredo Germont. The show is directed by Paul Curran while Corrado Rovaris conducts the orchestra beautiful throughout.

Couples and families lay their blankets on the ground and set out chairs in small groups during the pre-show. As the air gets colder, people hold warm cups and bowls of food close to them. Cups of tea, coffee, and hot chocolate are held in loving and possessive hands by adults and children alike. As time gets closer to the start of the show, people cuddle together for warmth under blankets and thick coats.

There are huge flat screen televisions and tall speakers around the park. The pre-show features the main cast of actors. They talk a bit about their youth and what got each of them passionate about opera. For Lisette Oropesa, she was inspired by her mother who she says possessed a beautiful voice of her own. And Alek Shrader claimed that he was fascinated by the art of opera singing when he was young.

At 7 pm, there are short speeches made by those in charge of the park and the Philadelphia opera house. Then the screens go black, the orchestra starts up, and the audience watches as Rovaris takes his rightful place on the conductor’s stand. Music originally composed by the masterful Giuseppe Verdi fills the air. The camera then shows the curtain rise and onstage, actors mill about in tuxedos and gowns, singing about enjoying life and the party that has been thrown by Violetta. Subtitles at the bottom of the screen help viewers to follow along with the story. She enters in a stunning royal blue dress complete with a dazzling pale belt, black gloves that reach above her elbows, and a high slit in the front that pronounces to understanding audience and company that she is not as innocent or prudish as her fellow female guests. Knowing that she will be dying soon, due to disease, she sings about living in the moment and enjoying life to the fullest before Alfredo corners her alone and sings to her of his undying love.

The show is romantic and heart wrenching but also full of scandal and a bit of humor. Although the free “Opera on The Mall” event has ended, La Traviata is a show recommended to those who love a good taboo romance.

And while this event marked the last official showing of La Traviata, the Philadelphia Academy of Music in Philadelphia offers many more shows starting next year in February.