Scene One
Alfredo Germont, a young man from Provence, is introduced by Gaston, Vicomte de Letorieres, to Violetta Valery, a famous courtesan. She is giving a soiree in her house in Paris. Gaston knows how much Alfredo admires Valery, but initially she pays hardly any attention to Germont.
When Baron Douphol, with whom Violetta is having an affair, refuses to propose a toast in celebration of the evening, Alfredo, urged on by Violetta, declares his willingness to do so. He sings a passionate song in praise of love with Violetta and the party guests joining in.
As the guests go off to dance, Violetta suddenly feels faint and has to remain behind. Alfredo makes a declaration of love. Violetta turns him down with gentle scorn. Touched however by Alfredo's candid overtures, she presents him with a camellia: he may return when the flower has withered, that is, within a day. At dawn the guests depart.
Alone, Violetta reflects on the senselessness of her past life. But still she refues to accept that she is falling in love with Alfredo.
Scene Two
Violetta has retreated to a country-house with Alfredo. Far away from Paris, she wants to enjoy some happiness with her beloved.
Alfredo learns from the servant Annina that Violetta intends to sell her valuables in order to support them.
After Alfredo has left the house in order to procure the necessary money himself, his father pays Violetta an unexpected visit. He asks that she break off the relationship with his son. Giorgio Germont demands this sacrifice because a liaison between his son and a courtesan would compromise his family and endanger his daughter's proposed marriage.
Violetta is prepared to make the sacrifice and leave Alfredo on condition that Giorgio Germont reveal to his son after her death the true reasons behind her actions.
Violetta sends Annina with a message to her friend Flora Bervoix in Paris that she will attend her soiree that evening. Then she writes Alfredo a farewell letter. On the pretext of wanting to prepare for his father's visit, Violetta leaves the unsuspecting Alfredo and returns secretly to Paris.
A few moments later a messenger brings Alfredo Violetta's letter. She informs him that she has decided to return to her former life.
Alfredo's father tries in vain to persuade his son to return to the family. Alfredo rushes off to Paris to Flora's salon.
Scene Three
There is dancing, singing and gambling at the courtesan Flora Bervoix's soiree. Alfredo is looking for Violetta. He appears to be desinterested when asked about his mistress. The guests invite him to take a seat at the gambling table.
Soon after Violetta enters the room on the arm of her former lover, Baron Douphol. At the gambling table Alfredo provokes not only the Baron but also Violetta with his remarks.
After the guests have sat down to dinner, Alfredo is able to speak with Violetta alone. She pretends to be in love with the Baron and implores Alfredo to leave at once, as she is afraid he might lose his life in a duel with Douphol.
In a state of extreme agitation Alfredo summons the guests. In front of the assembled people he throws the money he has won at Violetta's feet. Alfredo's father enters at this moment and rebukes his son for his lack of self-control. The emotional upheaval has drained Violetta. Rejected by the others, she slowly leaves the room.
Scene Four
Some time later. Besides her deteriorating health Violetta is now financially ruined. Doctor Grenvil consoles the dying woman.
In a letterfrom Giorgio Germont,Violetta learns that there has been a duel between Alfredo and Douphol. Germont announces furthermore that his son will be arriving.
Violetta feels that death is imminent. Outside a carnival procession passes by. Annina prepares Violetta to meet Alfredo who has returned.
The lovers embrace passionately. Alfredo pleads with Violetta for forgiveness. Violetta experiences one last surge of life, then succumbs. Doctor Grenvil and Giorgio Germont find a dying woman.
Translation: Christopher Balme
© Bayerische Staatsoper
Set in and around Paris in about 1850.
Act I
Violetta Valéry, a Parisian courtesan, greets the guests at her salon. Among them are Flora Bervoix, the Marchese D’Obigny, Baron Douphol and Gastone, who introduces Violetta to a new admirer of hers, Alfredo Germont. The young Germont, who has been admiring her from afar, joins her in a drinking song. An orchestra strikes up in an adjacent room, inviting the guests to dance. As the guests make their way to the ballroom, Violetta, who is suffering from consumption, feels faint; she therefore sends the guests on ahead and retires to her boudoir to recover. Alfredo enters and, realising that they are alone, admits his love for her. She replies that love means nothing to her. She
is, however, touched by the young man’s sincerity and promises to meet him the following day.
When the guests have departed, she asks herself whether Alfredo is the man she could love. Despite
the strains of Alfredo’s love song drifting in from outside, she decides she prefers her freedom.
Act II
scene 1
A few months later: Alfredo and Violetta have set up house together in the country, outside Paris. Alfredo says how happy they are, but when Violetta’s maid Annina lets on that Violetta has been selling her belongings to pay for the house, he hastens into town to raise the money himself. Violetta comes in search of him and discovers an invitation from her friend Flora to a soirée that very night. Violetta has no intention of returning to her former life, but she is forced to reconsider
on encountering Alfredo’s father. He is very taken with Violetta and her civilised manners but orders her to renounce Alfredo: his son’s scandalous liaison with Violetta is threatening his daughter’s forthcoming marriage. Violetta considers his demand unreasonable, but before long Germont succeeds in persuading her. Alone and desolate, Violetta sends a reply to Flora accepting her invitation and sits down to write a farewell letter to Alfredo. His return takes her by surprise, and she can barely restrain herself as she passionately reminds him how much she loves him before
rushing out. As the maid brings him Violetta’s farewell letter, Germont returns to console his son and reminds him of life in their family home in Provence. Alfredo spots Flora’s invitation and suspects that Violetta has left him for another man. In a rage, he decides to confront her at the soirée.
scene 2
At the soirée, Flora hears from the Marchese that Violetta and Alfredo have parted. Flora asks the guests to make way for a visiting troupe of performing gypsies. They are followed by matadors and a song about Piquillo and his sweetheart. Alfredo rushes in and delivers some bitter comments about love and gambling. Violetta appears on the arm of Baron Douphol, who challenges Alfredo to a game of cards and loses a small fortune to him. As the guests go in to supper, Violetta asks to have a word with Alfredo in private. She is afraid the Baron will be enraged by his loss and urges Alfredo to leave. Alfredo misunderstands her and orders her to admit she loves the Baron. Disappointed by Alfredo’s reaction, Violetta lies and confesses that yes, she does. Alfredo calls the other guests to gather round in order to denounce his former beloved in public and throws the money he has won at her feet. Germont, arriving at that very moment, expresses his disapproval of his son’s behaviour. The guests likewise rebuke Alfredo and Douphol challenges him to a duel.
Act III
Violetta’s bedroom, six months later. Dr Grenvil tells Annina that her mistress has not long to live –
the consumption has taken its toll. Alone, Violetta rereads a letter from Germont saying that the Baron was only slightly wounded in his duel with Alfredo, that Alfredo has heard the truth and is
coming to beg her pardon. But Violetta realises it is too late. It is carnival time in Paris and, the sounds of the revellers having passed, Annina rushes in to announce Alfredo. The lovers ecstatically plan to leave Paris. Germont enters with the doctor just as Violetta rises from her bed with the last of her strength. Feeling a sudden rush of life, she sways and falls dead at her lover’s feet.
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