La Traviata

The action takes place in Paris and its suburbs in around 1850

Act 1. Salon in Violetta’s home

A famous Parisian courtesan, Violetta Valery, gives a ball. Alfredo Germont is among numerous guests. The young man from a respectable family enters the bright vicious world of Paris society for the first time. He was led here by his love for beautiful Violetta. The new guest is asked to make a toast. Taking a glass of champagne he greets the ball mistress with a drinking song. Everyone joins him joyfully.

The guests start dancing. Violetta feels unwell and needs to seclude herself. Alfredo follows her and tells her that he loves her. Violetta presents him with a camelia flower and they set up a date. The guests thank the hostess for the nice party and say good-bye.

When alone, Violetta thinks about Alfredo’s confession with emotion. Can it be that this bashful boy aroused in her a return feeling? Can she fall in love? No, it’s impossible. To be free and careless, to shine at balls, to drive men crazy, to give her love and get all the earthly blessings in return – that’s the real happiness!.. The bold and brilliant aria is intruded by enamored Alfredo’s tender voice, heard from the street. Violetta tries to resist the love charms, but in vain…

Act 2. A house in the suburbs of Paris.

Violetta and Alfredo live happily in a quiet suburb of Paris far from society’s bustle. They enjoy their love. Alfredo’s aria “Peace and rest in my soul” touches deeply.

Alfredo learns from the housemaid that Violetta has to sell her things because of money difficulties and resolves to go to Paris and settle financial affairs.

During Alfredo’s absence his father, Giorgio Germont, decides to visit his “daughter-in-law”. He demands resolutely from her to stop relations with his son. She brings their family name into disrepute, which impedes Alfredo’s sister’s marriage. Violetta tries to persuade the honorable father that her feelings are sincere, but in vain. Suppressed by his will, she agrees in despair to leave Alfredo. She writes a good-bye note and disappears hastily.

Alfredo learns from the note that Violetta is bored with the rural life and that she returns to Paris to do what she used to. Violetta leaves him!! The father tries to soften such a hard blow reminding Alfredo about his family home, but Alfredo doesn’t hear him. Among the papers he finds an invitation letter for the next ball. That’s where Violetta rushed! Alfredo is infuriated. He hurries to the party to take revenge upon his traitress…

There is a masquerade in the house of Flora Bervoix. The Gypsy women are offering to tell the fortune, and Spanish matadors are playing joke corrida. Violetta enters the hall accompanied by Baron Douphol, her former lover. Flora warns her that Alfredo is here.

Men take seats to play cards. The tense foreboding of trouble is in the air of the room. Alfredo is impudent and angry, and tries to quarrel with the Baron deliberately. Today he is lucky in cards. Obviously, the luck betrayed him in love. In front of all the guests he throws the money he has won in Violetta’s face. This is the payment for the love she sells. The party turns into a public scandal. The Baron challenges Alfredo to a duel – the honor of even a fallen woman needs to be defended…

Act 3. In Violetta’s room.

Violetta is gravely ill and lies in her room. Doctor Grenvil warns Anina that there is no hope to cure her mistress’ consumption.

Violetta reads a letter from Germont, in which he informs that he is going to visit her together with his son. Violetta’s heart is filled with vivid recollections. Alas, they aren’t fated to come back to life. Violetta’s farewell aria is imbued with a mournful foreboding of a close death. The noise of a street carnival bursts into the silence of her bedroom like an evil mockery.

Alfredo bursts into the room, excited from the expectation of meeting Violetta. After the tragic duel with the baron he lived abroad for a long time. But now – off with the class prejudices! – he will stay with his beloved forever.

But Violetta is doomed. She gives Alfredo her forgiveness, her portrait, and her last smile…