VERDI
LA TRAVIATA
SYNOPSIS
ACT ONE
A lively company is gathered in the house of the
celebrated courtesan Violetta Valéry. The young
Alfredo Germont has been brought to the party by
his friend Gastone; he has long admired Violetta and
during her recent illness has inquired after her health
every day. Alfredo is called upon to propose a toast.
Violetta suddenly feels ill, but she insists that her
guests go and dance. They all leave except Alfredo,
who confesses his love for her. Violetta asks Alfredo
to forget her, as she can offer him only friendship.
Left alone, Violetta ponders on Alfredo’s declaration,
but persuades herself that it would be madness to
abandon the life of pleasure she now leads.
ACT TWO SCENE 1
Violetta has been living with Alfredo in a country
house outside Paris for several months. Her maid
Annina returns from Paris, where she has been
arranging the sale of most of Violetta’s possessions
in order to meet living expenses. Alfredo is ashamed
when he realises what has been happening and he
leaves for Paris in order to raise more money. Violetta
receives a letter from her friend Flora inviting her to a
party in Paris that evening, but she is not interested.
Alfredo’s father then arrives and at first addresses her
impolitely, but when Violetta proves to him that, far
from living on Alfredo, she is supporting them both,
Germont realises that he has completely misjudged
her. Nevertheless, he appeals to her to leave Alfredo,
whose young sister’s forthcoming marriage is being
jeopardised by the scandal of Alfredo’s affair. Violetta
pleads with Germont not to ask so great a sacrifice of
her. She feels she has not long to live, and wants to
spend her remaining days with Alfredo. But Germont
cruelly points out that their liaison is not blessed by
heaven. Knowing that Alfredo will be bitterly hurt,
she asks his father to wait in the garden and be ready
to comfort him. Violetta writes to her former
protector Baron Douphol, and then begins a letter
to Alfredo, who enters just as she finishes it. Violetta,
greatly agitated, makes Alfredo tell her again how
much he loves her. Crying, she embraces him and
rushes out. Alfredo’s father attempts to console him
but he is consumed with jealousy and despair and
pays no attention. He notices Flora’s invitation on the
writing desk and, convinced he will find Violetta and
Douphol at Flora’s party, rushes out.
INTERVAL
ACT TWO SCENE 2
At a party in Flora’s salon a crowd of masked revelers
dance for Flora’s guests. Alfredo arrives unexpectedly
and proceeds to the gambling table. Violetta arrives
with Baron Douphol, who forbids her to speak to
Alfredo. The Baron plays cards with Alfredo, who
wins every hand. Violetta begs Alfredo to leave
before Douphol challenges him to a duel, but he
forces her to say she loves Douphol and then calls all
the guests back to witness that he has repaid Violetta
all he owes. He flings at her the money he has won.
ACT THREE
Violetta’s bedroom. Gravely ill, Violetta is visited
by the Doctor, who admits to Annina that she has
only a few hours to live. Violetta asks Annina to
distribute her remaining money to the poor, then
re-reads a letter from Germont which tells her that,
having wounded the Baron in a duel, Alfredo has
gone abroad. Germont has relented and revealed
Violetta’s sacrifice to Alfredo, who will return and beg
her to forgive him. Aware she is dying, she sings a
farewell to all the happy dreams of the past. Annina
returns to announce Alfredo, who rushes to Violetta
and embraces her, promising they will leave Paris
and spend their lives together in happiness, before
realising how ill she is. Violetta, on the other hand,
is now determined to live. When Annina returns
with the doctor and Germont. Seconds before her
death, Violetta begins to feel life, hope and strength
returning to her. She collapses in the embrace of her
beloved Alfredo.
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