The Lady of the Camellias
The Lady of the Camellias, sometimes called in English Camille, is a novel by Alexandre Dumas fils. First published in 1848 and subsequently adapted by Dumas for the stage, the play premiered at the Théâtre du Vaudeville in Paris, France, on February 2, 1852. It was an instant success. Shortly thereafter, Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi set about putting the story to music in the 1853 opera La traviata, with female protagonist Marguerite Gautier renamed Violetta Valéry.
Alphonse Mucha's poster for a performance of the theatrical version, with Sarah Bernhardt (1896)
Marie Duplessis painted by Édouard Viénot
Illustration by Albert Lynch
Eugénie Doche created the role of Marguerite Gautier in 1852
Alexandre Dumas fils was a French author and playwright, best known for the romantic novel La Dame aux Camélias, published in 1848, which was adapted into Giuseppe Verdi's 1853 opera La traviata, as well as numerous stage and film productions, usually titled Camille in English-language versions.
Alexandre Dumas fils
Image: ALEXANDRE DUMAS FILS Autographe
Alexandre Dumas fils, in his youth
Bust of Alexander Dumas fils, by the sculptor Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux, Orsay Museum