La traviata

La traviata is an opera in four scenes by Giuseppe Verdi with a libretto by Francesco Maria Piave. It was based on the novel A Dama das Camélias, by Alexandre Dumas Filho. It premiered on March 6, 1853 at the Teatro La Fenice in Venice.

Synopsis:

Act I

It's a party night at the house of courtesan Violetta Valéry. Violetta, betrothed to Baron Douphol, is introduced by her friend Gastone de Letorières to Alfredo Germont. Gastone says that he had known Violetta for some time and that he secretly loved her. Alfredo, then, making a toast to Violetta, declares her love for her.

Violetta replies to Alfredo that, being a worldly woman, she doesn't know how to love and that she could only offer him friendship, and Alfredo should look for another woman. But still, Violetta offers her a rose that she carries between her breasts and asks her to come back the next day. After the party, Violetta remains alone and begins to realize how deeply Alfredo's words have touched her, a love she has never known before.

Act II Scene 1

Violetta and Alfredo start a romantic relationship and go to live in a country house, on the outskirts of Paris. Aninna, Violetta's maid, tells Alfredo that Violetta has been constantly going to Paris to sell her goods, to support the expenses of the country house.

Giorgio Germont, Alfredo's father, visits Violetta and begs her to leave Alfredo forever. Giorgio tells him about his family and especially his daughter, in Provence, and believes that seeing Alfredo involved with a worldly woman would destroy his reputation.

Annoyed, Violetta responds to Giorgio's pleas and seals an envelope addressed to Alfredo. Violetta leaves for a party at her friend Flora Bervoix's house and Alfredo reads the letter. Suspecting that Violetta may have betrayed him, Alfredo goes to Flora's house to get revenge.

Act II Scene 2

The party starts with a group of masked people who provide them with entertainment. Alfredo arrives at the party and then Violetta Valery arrives accompanied by Baron Duphol. Alfredo starts playing with the Baron and wins. As dinner is served, Violetta and Alfredo remain alone in the hall and Alfredo forces her to confess the truth. Violetta, lying, says she loves the baron. Furious, Alfredo summons everyone to the salon and throws all the money won in the game in Violetta's face and challenges Douphol to a duel. Violetta faints, Alfredo is repressed by everyone and the party ends.

act III

Violetta is sick and impoverished after getting rid of all her possessions. Taken by tuberculosis, she receives letters from several friends and one in particular catches her attention. It's by Giorgio Germont, regretting having pitted Violetta against Alfredo.

Giorgio and Alfredo visit Violetta, and they reconcile. Violetta and Alfredo start making life plans for after Violetta's recovery. However, Violetta is very physically weakened and begins to feel her body giving way. She gives Alfredo a portrait of her and warns him to give it to the next woman he falls in love with. Violetta feels the spasms of pain stop, but then she breathes out.