Opera Synopsis—

La Traviata

by Giuseppe Verdi

Place: Paris and its vicinity
Time: The mid-19th Century

Act I

Violetta Valéry, a famous courtesan, is hosting a special party at her Paris apartment. Among her guests are Flora Bervoix, the Marquis d’Obigny, and her sponsor or “protector” Baron Douphol. Gaston arrives and presents to her Alfredo Germont, a young man who has long admired and adored Violetta from afar. Violetta is flattered but treats him coyly as the crowd sings a lusty drinking song about the pursuit of all pleasures. The guests are directed to the adjoining room where an orchestra has been provided for dancing. As Violetta tries to guide them to the ballroom, she is stopped in her tracks by a sudden weakness and shortness of breath. She sends them all away and promises to join them in a few moments. Alfredo returns moments later and confesses his love and devotion to her. She is moved, but advises him to find someone else, for she tells him she is incapable of true love. Disappointed, Alfredo turns to leave, but Violetta invites him to call on her the next day, renewing his hopes. The revelers return long enough to thank their hostess and leave, for the sun is already rising. Left alone, Violetta muses on the nature of true two-sided love, and wonders if Alfredo’s sincerity could prove to be the dream she has always had. Dismissing the thought for what it is – only a dream – she exclaims that she will always remain a free spirit, immune to everything but ephemeral pleasure, as the strains of Alfredo’s love song pour in from the balcony window.

Act II, Scene 1

Alfredo and Violetta have been living in a villa outside Paris. Alfredo recounts how happy they have been since they left the circus atmosphere of the city. His mood is shattered when Annina, Violetta’s faithful maid, reveals that Violetta has been selling almost all she owns to pay for their idyllic vacation. Alfredo rushes off to Paris to attempt to reclaim her belongings at his own cost. Violetta enters looking for him and receives an invitation to Flora’s party that night in Paris. She laughs, declaring that that part of her life is over. She is soon surprised by the entrance of Alfredo’s father, Giorgio Germont. He at first accuses her of trying to destroy his son, but is astounded when he learns that Violetta has been supporting him. Though impressed with her gentility and demeanor, he must ask her to leave his son. He says their relationship is endangering the future of Alfredo’s sister, who is engaged to a young man whose family would not permit the marriage if they learned of the scandalous arrangement. Violetta at first vows that she would rather die, but Giorgio finally convinces her to make this sacrifice for the sake of Alfredo’s family. Violetta is shattered and defeated. She writes a message of acceptance to Flora’s invitation, and begins a farewell note to Alfredo when he enters, surprising her. Barely able to control herself, she reminds him how deeply she loves him before rushing out. A servant appears with Violetta’s farewell note; Alfredo is thunderstruck with despair. His father enters and tries to console him with reminders of family life in Provence, and begs him to come home to heal the wounds of his broken heart. Alfredo is inconsolable, and spying Flora’s invitation which Violetta has left behind, suspects that Violetta has returned to her former life with the Baron. Furious, he decides to confront her at the party.

Act II, Scene 2

At her soirée, Flora learns from the Marquis that Violetta and Alfredo have parted. Flora amuses her guests with surprise entertainment and gypsy fortunetellers. Alfredo then enters, all the while making bitter comments about love, and starts gambling recklessly. Violetta arrives with Baron Douphol, who challenges Alfredo to a game of cards and loses a small fortune to him. As the guests are called in to supper, Violetta asks Alfredo to meet with her. When Alfredo arrives and coolly asks her why he was called, she confesses she is fearful for him and begs him to leave. He misunderstands her and demands that she admit she loves Douphol. Crushed, she pretends that she does. Enraged, Alfredo calls in the entire company and denounces her, throwing his winnings at her feet. As the guests rebuke him, Giorgio Germont enters to berate his son’s graceless behavior, and Douphol challenges Alfredo to a duel.

Act III

Violetta lies in her bed, attended by the faithful Annina. The doctor comes with reassurances of a recovery, but Violetta is not deceived. The doctor confesses to Annina that Violetta does not have long to live. Violetta sends Annina on an errand and, once alone, she again reads the letter she received from Alfredo’s father. He tells her that the duel took place, the baron was wounded but will recover, and that he has admitted to Alfredo the circumstances of their separation. He and Alfredo will soon be there to beg her forgiveness. Violetta knows that it will be too late. Alfredo arrives and the lovers ecstatically make plans to leave Paris forever to journey to the country, where her health will return. When she tries to dress, Violetta is too weak to even stand. Germont arrives with the doctor. Violetta consoles Alfredo and asks him to give her portrait to the young girl he will eventually marry and tell her that she is in heaven praying for them both. The somber mood is broken when Violetta announces that her pain has ceased and she feels life returning to her body. She cries out that she is going to live again, then staggers and falls dead in Alfredo’s arms.