La traviata Synopsis
ACT I
Violetta Valéry’s house in Paris, 1700’s
A glittering party is underway. One of the guests, Gastone, introduces the beautiful and wealthy Violetta to Alfredo Germont, who has long admired her from afar. As the guests prepare for supper, Alfredo is asked to propose a toast in which Violetta and all the guests join. After dinner the guests move into another room to dance, and Violetta is overcome by a fainting spell. Alfredo has remained behind and is moved to tell her that he has fallen in love with her. Violetta demurs and insists that he forget her, but she then invites him to return the next day. After the guests thank their hostess and take their leave, Violetta remains in deep thought and almost admits that she might love Alfredo but decides to continue her life of unshackled, never-ending pleasure.
ACT II
Scene I – A country house near Paris, three months later
Alfredo reflects on the delights of the past three months that he has spent living with Violetta. He learns from Violetta’s maid, Annina, which Violetta is currently selling all of her possessions in Paris to pay for the country estate in which they are living. Alfredo rushes off to try to prevent the sale. Unexpectedly, Alfredo’s father arrives, and the elder Germont accusses Violetta of ruining the reputation of his son and family. Although he begins to feel compassion for her, Germont insists that Violetta leave Alfredo. Violetta reluctantly agrees to do so. After Germont departs she writes a letter to Alfredo telling him she must leave him. After she departs she sends a messenger back to Alfredo with the note. As Alfredo reads the note in desperation, his father, who has returned to console his son, confronts him. The elder Germont begs Alfredo to return to their family home in Provence, but Alfredo finds an invitation that Violetta has received to a ball at Flora Bervoix’s home in Paris and hurries there to look for her.
Scene II – Flora Bervoix’s house in Paris
The party at Flora’s is just beginning. The guests are surprised when Alfredo enters without Violetta, but no more surprised than Violetta herself when, arriving with Baron Douphol, she discovers Alfredo at the party. Alfredo challenges the Baron to a game of cards and wins consistently. While the guests are at supper, Alfredo ruthlessly questions Violetta about her love for him. She has sworn to the elder Germont not to reveal the truth, so she tells Alfredo that she loves the Baron. She begs Alfredo to leave. In a rage, Alfredo calls back the other guests and humiliates Violetta by throwing his gambling winnings at her feet as payment for their time together. The elder Germont, who has just entered, sternly rebukes Alfredo for his behavior. Violetta tells the others of her deep and real love for Alfredo. As Alfredo leaves, the Baron challenges him to a duel.
ACT III
The bedroom of Violetta’s impoverished quarters in Paris, several months later
Violetta takes ill and is asleep. The Doctor enters, and although he is encouraging to Violetta, he tells Annina that her mistress has only a few hours to live. Violetta re-reads a letter from Germont, explaining to her that he has told Alfredo of her sacrifice and that Alfredo is now returning from abroad to be with her. Alfredo enters and the two lovers share a passionate reunion. They pledge to be together forever, but at that moment Violetta collapses. Annina enters with the Doctor and with Germont, who is shocked by Violetta’s condition. In her dying moments, Violetta gives Alfredo a medallion bearing her likeness and blesses his future loves. Then, with apparent new life surging through her body and an expression of joy in her face, Violetta falls dead in Alfredo’s arms.
