In Act II of La Traviata, Germont, the father of Violetta's lover Alfredo, comes to her house and persuades her to give up his son whose behavior is compromising not only the young man's own future, but also the happiness of his innocent sister. Germont then tries to persuade Alfredo to come home to Provence in this heartfelt aria.

Dmitri Hvorostovsky performs 'Di Provenza il mar, il suol' from Verdi's La Traviata with the Phoenix Opera Orchestra and Chorus under the baton of Maestro John Massaro, during Hvorostovsky's Gala concert at Phoenix's Orpheum Theatre Tuesday, January 10, 2012.

Who erased the sea and the soil of Provence from your heart?
What destiny stole you away from your native, resplendent sun?
Even in sorrow, remember you were happy there.
There alone can peace sine on you again.
God has guided me here!

You do not know what pain your old father has suffered!
With you away, his home has been desolate indeed.
But if in finding you again my hopes are not in vain,
If the voice of honor is not silent for you.
God has heard me!

© 2012 Phoenix Opera. All Rights Reserved.

Video courtesy of Javi Gonzalez - www.javiphotography.com