SYNOPSIS

ACT I
Violetta Valry senses that she will soon die. She is exhausted
with the eventful life of a sought-after courtesan. At a ball at the
home of her friend (Flora), she is introduced to Alfredo Germont,
who has been fascinated with her for a long time now. The
guests, particularly Violettas present partner, Baron Douphol,
are amused by the youths displays of respect and suggest that
he propose a toast (Duet: Libiamo ne lieti calici). When the
present company moves to a different room, Violetta faints.
Only Alfredo stays with her and takes the opportunity to confess
his love (Duet: Un d felice). Though there is no place in
Violettas life for flights of the heart, in her amusement she
gives him a camellia flower, asking him to return it when it wilts
(that is, the next day). Among the echoes of the party coming
from behind the door, Violetta fights with her thoughts she
does not want to abandon her current life in the frenzy of
debauchery; on the other hand, in the face of her progressing
lung illness, she wants, for one last time, to experience true,
unconditional love (aria: Sempre libera).
ACT II
Scene 1
Violetta chooses to follow her heart. Together with her beloved
Alfredo, she moves into a house out in the country, far from
decadent Paris society. When Alfredo finds out by chance, from
the maid Annina, that their idyll is possible only to thanks to
Violettas shrinking monetary resources, he immediately leaves
for Paris. He plans to buy back furnishings left as collateral at
the pawnbrokers. Violetta, in the meantime, receives an
invitation to another ball; she does not, however, plan to leave.
Unexpectedly, Alfredos father Germont appears. He
demands from the girl that she immediately end the
relationship, which, on account of her shameful past, could
affect the reputation of his daughter and destroy plans for her
marriage (Duet: Pura siccome un angelo). Germont quickly
realizes that Violetta is not interested in money, and that her
intentions are pure. Despite this, disregarding her feelings, he
argues that her relationship with Alfredo has no future. Violetta,

realizing that her illness will sooner or later claim her life,
decides to sacrifice her own happiness. She swears to keep her
conversation with Germont a secret until her death.
Immediately, she leaves for Paris to dissolve her sadness in
amusement. She leaves Alfredo only a laconic farewell letter.
Her beloved returns to the countryside to find only the maid and
his own father, who soothes him and proposes a return home to
Provence (Aria: Di Provenza). The furious Alfredo will not even
hear of it in a fit of jealousy, he follows his beloved, not
knowing the real reason for her departure.
Scene II The Masked Ball
At the masked ball, the gossip about Violetta and Alfredos
breakup spreads like wildfire. Among the processions of ladies
dressed as gypsies and gentlemen in the roles of picadors and
toreadors, Violetta appears with her old admirer, Baron
Douphol. Embittered, unlucky in love, Alfredo plays cards and
wins a considerable sum of money. A moment later, he appears
before Violetta, who, stifling her passion, spurns him, declaring
her feelings for the Baron. In a fit of fury, before the eyes of the
horrified guests, Alfredo humiliates his beloved, throwing the
money he has won in her face as payment for their country
idyll. Germont is indignant at his sons behavior, though he
does not reveal the truth to him. The Baron is left with no other
alternative except to challenge Alfredo to a duel.
ACT III
Violetta lies sapped of strength. Only her friend, Doctor Grenvil,
realizes that she has only a few hours left to live. Violetta, her
voice growing weaker and weaker, reads a letter from Germont,
who, consumed with the pricks of conscience, has revealed to
his son the true reasons for the departure of the love of his life.
He assures her that Alfredo, who was not injured in the duel
with the Baron, will come to her at any moment. Violetta weeps
onto the pages letter, knowing that it is too late (Aria: Addio,
del passato). Outside the window, ironically, the noise of the
citys riotous carnival festivities reverberates. Alfredo arrives
and throws himself into the arms of his beloved (Duet: Parigi, o
cara), who in superhuman euphoria regains her strength and
joy. But it is just an appearance. The last explosion of the flame
of life before her inevitable death.