Richard Byrum previews Giuseppe Verdi’s La Traviata on Monday, March 9, at 7 p.m. in the Truman Forum at the Plaza Branch, 4801 Main St.

Byrum’s presentation – titled La Traviata; or, One Woman’s Fatal Brush with the Disease of Love – features extensive video and audio excerpts.

Verdi’s La Traviata has been, since its inception in 1853, one of the mainstays of the operatic repertory. It was spawned during Verdi’s creative "middle period," yielding such other operatic gems as Rigoletto and Il Trovatore.

La Traviata is the story of the ill-fated romance of Violetta Valerie, a beautiful and brazen young courtesan of Paris, and Alfredo Germont, her passionate lover. After becoming his mistress, Violetta grows emotionally attached, returning Alfredo’s love and living with him in the country in order to recover from her failing health.

The Lyric Opera of Kansas City presents five performances of La Traviata on March 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22.

The program is co-sponsored by the Kansas City Lyric Opera Guild. Founded in 1961, the Lyric Opera Guild is the principal support organization for the Lyric Opera and continues to offer a variety of activities and programs.