Baltimore Opera Company

Study Guide

La Traviata

The Story

Act I

A lively party is taking place at the home of Violetta Valery, a beautiful Parisian of the demimondaine who is kept in luxury by her admirer, Baron Douphol. Viscount Gastone arrives and introduces his friend, Alfredo Germont, telling Violetta that Alfredo has long been a secret admirer and even called daily during her recent illness to ask after her. Baron Douphol is angered by the conversation and refuses to propose a toast when invited by the Viscount. Alfredo then accepts the invitation, and leads the guest in a tribute to beauty and love ( Brindisi - “Libiamo ne' lieti calici”). Later as the others go to another room to dance, Violetta is overcome by a fainting spell. Alfredo stays behind to assist her and confesses that he has been in love with her for a year (“Un dì felice, eterea”). The jaded Violetta refuses his love, but instead offers him friendship, giving him a camellia which he is to return when it has withered. Alfredo, joyously accepting the tryst, bids her goodnight. When her guest have gone, Violetta muses thoughtfully on Alfredo's proffered love (“Ah, fors'è lui”), but finally returns to her true character and declares that she must remain forever free (“Sempre libera”) to pass from pleasure to pleasure.

Act II

Violetta is living with Alfredo in the country, having abandoned her life of ease and luxury in Paris . Alfredo muses on their beautiful life together (“De' miei bollenti spiriti”), likening their life to a heavenly paradise. Annina, Violetta's maid and confidante, enters and tells Alfredo she has been sent to take away all of Violetta's things, which must be sold to pay her debts. Alfredo, suddenly understanding the sacrifices which Violetta has made in order to live with him, leaves for Paris, determined not to be ashamed by his mistress' sacrifices. Violetta enters and receives an unexpected visitor, Giorgio Germont, Alfredo's father, who declares that Alfredo is ruining himself to keep his mistress. When Germont comments on the luxury of the country retreat, Violetta shows the papers which have been prepared for the sale of all her possessions. He asks her to give up Alfredo, explaining that by continuing the liaison, Alfredo is jeopardizing the impending marriage of his younger sister (“Pura siccome un angelo”). Although Violetta passionately declares her love for Alfredo, Germont's insistence finally convinces her to agree to save Alfredo's sister by leaving him forever (“Dite alla giovine”). Germont goes into the garden. As Alfredo returns, Violetta is tearfully writing him a farewell note, taking care to hide it when she sees him. Alfredo, not realizing his father has already arrived, explains that Germont has written him a severe letter, but he feels that he will approve of Violetta as soon as he sees her. Pretending that she is leaving so as not to be present during the meeting of father and son, Violetta goes out, bidding him a heart-breaking farewell (“Amami, Alfredo”). Shortly afterward a messenger brings him her letter, and Alfredo is stricken with grief at the loss of his beloved Violetta. His father eloquently entreats him to return to his family in Provence (“Di Provenza il mar, il suol”) but Alfredo, desperately in love with Violetta, refuses. He finds a party invitation that Violetta had received from her friend Flora, he resolves to go to Paris in the hope of finding Violetta.

Act III

Scene 1 -

Flora is giving a brilliant party, in which guests are taking part in a masquerade featuring gypsies (“Noi siamo zingarelle”) and matadors (“Di Madride noi siam mattadori”). Alfredo arrives at Flora's just as the guests are beginning to gamble. Violetta arrives, escorted by Baron Douphol, to whom she has returned. Alfredo is extremely lucky at cards, explaining that he who is unlucky in love is lucky at cards. The Baron, incensed at Alfredo's' insolence, challenges him to play. Alfredo accepts and repeatedly beats the Baron at high stakes. When all the others go to dinner, Violetta remains behind to beg Alfredo to leave as she fears the Baron will challenge him to a duel. Alfredo answers that he will only leave if she will accompany him. Unwilling to reveal that she broke it off with him because of his father, Violetta declares that she is in love with the Baron. Alfredo, in a frenzy of jealousy, calls all the guests into the room and announces that without knowing it, he has been living with Violetta at a great sacrifice on her part (“Ogni suo aver tal femmina”). In a rage, he throws a purse at her feet and calls upon all witnesses that he has paid her in full. Germont has entered just in time to witness his son's shocking bravado and joins the others in reviling him for his unchivalrous conduct (“O, infamia orribile tu commetesti!”). Alfredo, realizing the lengths to which his jealousy has carried him, is contrite, but realizes that he is helpless to make amends. Violetta is stricken at the insult and his heartlessness (“Alfredo, Alfredo, di questo core”). The Baron tells Alfredo that he must answer for the insult on the field of honor.

Scene 2 -

Violetta lies in her room mortally ill and penniless. She reads a letter from the elder Germont (“Teneste la promessa”), in which she learns that Alfredo has gone abroad after wounding Baron Douphol in the duel. He now knows the great sacrifice on her part and is returning to beg her forgiveness. She laments that it is too late and bids farewell to her life, calling upon God to pardon her (“Addio del passato”). Dr. Grenvil comes to her home and after examining her, tells Annina that Violetta has but a few hours to live. Alfredo suddenly arrives and the two are joyfully united one last time, saying that they will leave Paris and live together for the rest of their lives (“Parigi, o cara, noi lasceremo”). Violetta is now in the last stages of her illness as Germont comes to beg her forgiveness and finds comfort that her friends are with her as she is dying. She gives Alfredo a medallion with her likeness on it (“Prendi, quest'è l'immagine”), entreating him to fall in love with a beautiful, virtuous young woman, and tell her that the woman on the medallion is praying for them both in heaven. With sudden strength brought on from seeing her beloved Alfredo she feels a spasm of life returning to her, but a moment later falls back lifeless.

James Harp

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