La Traviata
The material on this page was taken and paraphrased from Wikipedia.
La Traviata is an opera by Giuseppe Verdi set to an Italian libretto by Francesco Maria Piave. The opera is set in early 18th century Paris and its vicinity. Many modern productions set it during the 19th century instead. It is based on the novel La dame aux Camélias by Alexandre Dumas, published in 1848. It was first performed at the Teatro la Fenice in Venice on March 6 1853. The title means literally The Woman Who Strayed or The Fallen One. The opera has become immensely popular and a staple of the standard operatic repertoire. It is the third most-performed opera in North America, behind only Madama Butterfly and La Bohème.
Roles
• Violetta Valery, a courtesan (soprano)
• Alfredo Germont, Violetta's admirer (tenor)
• Giorgio Germont, Alfredo's father (baritone)
• Flora Bervoix, Violetta's friend (mezzo-soprano)
• Annina, Violetta's maid (soprano)
• Gastone, Alfredo's friend (tenor)
• Barone Douphol, another admirer of Violetta (baritone)
• Doctor Grenvil, Violetta's doctor (bass)
Act I
The salon in Violetta's house
Violetta Valery, a famed courtesan, is throwing a lavish party at her Paris salon to celebrate her recovery from a recent bount of illness. The count Gastone has brought his friend, the young nobleman Alfredo Germont, who has long adored Violetta from afar. While walking to the salon, Gastone tells Violetta that Alfredo loves her so much and that he came to her house every day to check on her while she was ill. Alfredo admits the truth of Gastone's remarks and Violetta thanks him. The Baron waits to escort Violetta to the salon, but she chides him for not caring about her as much as Alfredo does. At the salon, the Baron is asked to give a toast, but he refuses and the crowd turns to Alfredo.
From the next room, the orchestra begins to play and the guests move there to dance. Violetta feels faint and asks the guests to go ahead and to leave her to rest for a while to recover. The Baron leaves her alone. The guests dance in the next room, while Violetta looks at her face in her mirror. She looks pale. Alfredo enters and he expresses his concern for her fragile health and later declares his love for her. At first Violetta rejects him because his love means nothing to her. However, there is something about Alfredo that touches her heart. Alfredo is about to leave when she gives him a flower, telling him to return it when it has wilted. She promises to meet him the next day.
After the guests leave, Violetta wonders if Alfredo could be the one for her. But she concludes that she needs freedom to live her life. From off stage, Alfredo's voice is heard singing about love as he walks down the street.
A country house outside Paris
Three months later, Alfredo and Violetta are living together in a peaceful country house outside Paris. Violetta has fallen in love with Alfredo and she has completely abandoned her former life. Alfredo sings of their happy life together. Annina, the maid, arrives from Paris. When questioned by Alfredo, she tells him that she went there to sell the horses, carriages and everything owned by Violetta to support their expensive country lifestyle. Alfredo is shocked to learn this and leaves for Paris immediately to settle matters himself. Violetta returns home and receives an invitation from her friend, Flora, to a party in Paris. She discards it.
Alfredo’s father, Germont, arrives. He demands that, for the sake of his family, she must break off her relationship with his son. He is impressed by Violetta's manners, which he did not expect from a courtesan. Germont reveals that Violett's relationship with Alfredo has threatened his daughter's engagement because of Violetta's reputation. While she says that she cannot break off her relationship with Alfredo because she loves him so much, Germont pleads with her. With growing remorse in her heart, she finally agrees. She bids farewell to Germont who leaves her to cry.
Violetta gives a note to Annina to send to Flora as acceptance of the party invitation. While writing a farewell letter to Alfredo, he enters. She can barely control her sadness and tears; she tells him repeatedly of her unconditional love before rushing out and handing the farewell letter to a servant to give to Alfredo. The servant gives the farewell letter to Alfredo. As soon as he finishes reading it, Germont comes in and attempts to comfort his son, reminding him of his family in Provence. Alfredo suspects the Baron is behind his separation with Violetta. The party invitation, which he finds on the desk, strengthens his suspicions. He decides to confront Violetta at the party. Germont tries to stop Alfredo, but he rushes out.
Flora's party
At the party, the Marquis tells Flora that Violetta and Alfredo have separated. She calls for the entertainers to perform for the guests. Gastone and his friends join the matadors and sing while the gypsy girls dance and read the fortunes of some of the guests.
Violetta arrives with Baron Douphol. They see Alfredo at the gambling table. Upon seeing them, Alfredo creates a big scene about his winning. The Baron feels annoyed. He goes to the gambling table and challenges him. Alfredo wins some large sums of money from the Baron until Flora announces that the supper is ready. Alfredo leaves with handfuls of money.
Everyone leaves the room but Violetta has asked Alfredo to see her. Fearing that the Baron's anger will lead him to challenge Alfredo to a duel, she gently asks Alfredo to leave. Alfredo misunderstands her apprehension and demands that she admit that she loves the Baron. In grief, she does so. Her confession makes Alfredo furious and he calls the guests to witness what he has to say. Alfredo humiliates and denounces Violetta in front of the guests, and then throws his winnings at her for her 'services' while they lived together. She falls, fainting onto the floor. The guests reprimand Alfredo and tell him to leave. In search of his son, Germont enters and denounces his son's behavior.
Flora and the ladies attempt to persuade Violetta to leave the room but, before doing so, Violetta turns to Alfredo and tells him that he can't imagine how much she loves him.
Act III
Violetta's bedroom
Dr. Grenvil tells Annina that Violetta will not live long as her tuberculosis has worsened. Alone in her room, Violetta reads a letter sent by Alfredo’s father saying that Alfredo fought a duel with the Baron in which the Baron was injured. The letter also states that Germont has informed Alfredo of the sacrifice Violetta made for him and his sister, and that he is sending his son to see her as quickly as possible to ask for her forgiveness. But Violetta senses it is too late.
Outside, there is a carnival and revellers pass by Violetta's window. Annina rushes into the room to tell Violetta that Alfredo has arrived. The lovers are reunited and promise to leave Paris together. Violetta attempts to stand up and get dressed but she is too weak and knows that she is going to die. Alfredo's father enters with the doctor, full of regret for what he did. Violetta gives Alfredo a picture to remember her by and encourages him to find another love. She dies shortly afterwards.
Rotation
Disclaimers
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