La traviata 101 – Characters and Plot

Composer – Giuseppe Verdi (October 1813 – January 27, 1901)

Librettist – Francesco Maria Piave (Could 18, 1810 – March 5, 1876)

Première – March 6, 1853 in Venice, Italy at Teatro la Fenice

Setting – Paris, initially set within the eighteenth century, however later it will be set usually within the nineteenth century (per the composer’s needs)

Supply – Primarily based on a novel & play by Alexandre Dumas fils (July 27, 1824 – November 27, 1895), La dame aux camélias

Act One:

Violetta, a Parisian courtesan, meets Alfredo Germont, her admirer, at certainly one of her events. Love could also be within the air… however Violetta is aware of her sickness doesn’t give her plenty of time, so she’s uncertain whether or not to dive in and be with Alfredo.

Act Two, Scene One:

Months later, Violetta and Alfredo have moved in with one another within the nation. Giorgio Germont, Alfredo’s father, desires Violetta to interrupt up with Alfredo due to her status. Though she actually doesn’t wish to depart Alfredo, Violetta agrees, requesting that Germont hold the reality hidden till she dies.

Act Two, Scene Two:

Violetta is at her good friend Flora’s occasion in Paris with the Baron Douphol, certainly one of her rich patrons. Alfredo arrives, livid with Violetta, and throws his playing winnings at her for her “companies,” humiliating her in entrance of everybody. She faints, he instantly regrets his actions, and the Baron challenges Alfredo to a duel.

Act Three:

Violetta is dying. Germont had despatched her a letter informing her that (1) each males survived the duel (Alfredo gained), (2) he instructed his son the reality about why Violetta left him, and (3) Alfredo is on his approach to see her earlier than she dies. Alfredo arrives and so they reaffirm their love. Sadly, it’s too late, and Violetta succumbs to her tuberculosis, dying in Alfredo’s arms.

Paris within the nineteenth century

La traviata — Act One

August, Violetta’s salon

Violetta’s buddies collect at her home for a celebration. She and her buddies welcome their company, together with Alfredo Germont, a younger man of some means who’s been pining for Violetta for some time. In actual fact, Violetta learns that Alfredo visited her dwelling every day when she was very sick, and he or she factors out that not even her rich patron, the Baron Douphol, did that for her. Because the occasion continues, Violetta proposes a toast, and Alfredo begins the brindisi, “Libiamo ne’ lieti calici,” a consuming music. Everybody joins in and sings alongside, drinks in hand. Because the evening goes on, the company all start to bounce. Violetta tries to hitch within the dancing, however she’s not feeling very nicely. Not desirous to spoil the occasion, she urges everybody to bounce with out her. Alfredo, nevertheless, stays behind to get some one-on-one time with Violetta. He tries to inform her that she will be able to’t ignore her sickness, particularly given her life-style. Alfredo pledges to remain by her facet and hold her protected, confessing his love within the duet “Un dì felice, eterea.” Violetta, having had many admirers, says that he’ll in all probability neglect her quickly, and rejects him.

After some time, although, she feels a connection to Alfredo. Earlier than he leaves, Violetta offers him a flower, telling him to provide it again to her as soon as it has wilted. After Alfredo departs, Violetta has a second alone the place she wonders if he might be “the one.” In “Ah, fors’è lui,” Violetta reveals that she has by no means been really beloved, and he or she’s by no means really beloved another person, and the considered it excites her. Waking herself from this fantasy of affection, Violetta places these emotions apart and resolves that a lifetime of pleasure and freedom is what she desires for her remaining years.

La traviata — Act Two, Scene One

The next January, in a rustic home exterior of Paris

It has been three months since Violetta and Alfredo moved in with one another of their nation home. They’re utterly in love with one another and spend every day in bliss. All the pieces, nevertheless, will not be as good because it appears. Annina, Violetta’s maid, returns from Paris, and Alfredo asks her what she went there to do. Annina reveals that she had gone to Paris on Violetta’s behalf to promote all of Violetta’s belongings. Violetta wanted the cash to help their life collectively within the nation. Shocked and ashamed, Alfredo resolves to repair the scenario in Paris himself and leaves. Violetta arrives shortly after, discovering an invite to a celebration in Paris from her good friend, Flora. Giorgio Germont, Alfredo’s father, then enters the house. Germont just isn’t very glad together with his son’s romance, and tells Violetta about how her relationship and status as a courtesan threatens his daughter’s engagement. Although Germont is shocked by Violetta’s class, given her place, he desires her to finish her relationship with Alfredo.

Violetta pleads with Germont, telling him that her sickness is kind of severe and ending their relationship would trigger her immense struggling. Germont gained’t give in, and tells Violetta that she’ll discover another person to like. Violetta finally accepts his request, asking Germont to inform his daughter about her sacrifice, in addition to ensuring that she’ll be the one to interrupt issues off with Alfredo. She additionally asks Germont to solely inform Alfredo the reality after she passes away. Germont leaves, and as Violetta begins to put in writing her breakup letter to Alfredo, he seems. Alfredo can sense one thing is off, however Violetta gained’t say something besides how a lot she loves him. Violetta dramatically declares her love in “Amami, Alfredo,” and leaves him. Alfredo, alone, receives Violetta’s letter from a messenger and he reads about how she is leaving him. He expresses his sorrow to his father, who tries to consolation him. Listening to that Violetta acquired a celebration invitation from a good friend in Paris, Alfredo’s sorrow turns to anger, as he assumes that she left him for her buddies and Baron Douphol. He resolves to go to the occasion and confront Violetta.

La traviata — Act Two, Scene Two

Paris, Flora’s salon

At her occasion, Flora and the Marchese D’Obigny gossip with their buddies about Violetta and Alfredo’s separation. Flora then requires the leisure to start, and the company be part of collectively to sing numerous songs about fortune-telling and matadors. Because the festivities rage on, Alfredo arrives to confront Violetta. Quickly after, Violetta arrives with Baron Douphol, her rich patron from Act One. Annoyed by seeing Violetta with the Baron, Alfredo gambles with abandon. The Baron joins Alfredo on the card desk, and Alfredo broadcasts that he’ll depart the occasion with Violetta. Aggravated at his vanity, the Baron makes bets towards Alfredo. Alfredo finally ends up successful huge, however now it’s meal time. Whereas everybody makes their approach to the eating room, Violetta finds Alfredo and takes him to talk in non-public.

Afraid that Alfredo’s obnoxious habits will trigger the Baron to problem Alfredo to a duel, Violetta begs him to depart the occasion. Alfredo refuses, not realizing that she desires to guard him, as he thinks that she simply desires to spend time with the Baron. He calls for that she admit she’s in love with the Baron, and he or she lies, saying she does love the Baron. Livid at her confession, Alfredo calls everybody to return see what he has to say. With everybody watching, Alfredo insults Violetta and throws his playing winnings at her ft, signifying fee for her “companies” during the last three months. Upset by this humiliation, Violetta faints. Nobody is entertained by Alfredo’s gesture, as the group and Germont (who simply arrived) chastise him for his rudeness. Realizing what he’s finished, Alfredo turns into very distressed, begging for forgiveness. As Violetta feared, the Baron challenges Alfredo to a duel. As Violetta’s buddies urge her to depart, she tells Alfredo in “Alfredo, Alfredo, di questo core” how he doesn’t perceive how a lot she loves him, and that Violetta will love Alfredo even after she dies.

La traviata — Act Three

One month later, Paris, Violetta’s bed room

Physician Grenvil visits Violetta, whose situation has deteriorated drastically. He privately lets Annina know that Violetta’s tuberculosis has progressed, and he or she has only some hours left to stay. Violetta hears individuals on the street having fun with the carnival, and thinks of those that are too poor to have a good time, asking Annina to donate what little cash she has left to the much less lucky. With Annina gone, Violetta reads a letter from Germont, which recounts how Alfredo gained his duel towards the Baron (who was solely wounded) and is now overseas. Germont revealed Violetta’s sacrifice to Alfredo, as promised, and Alfredo is now on his approach to Violetta to hopefully see her earlier than she passes. Within the well-known “Addio, del passato,” Violetta laments her scenario, as she is aware of her life is ending fairly quickly.

Alfredo miraculously arrives and the 2 embrace as soon as extra. They sing “Parigi, o cara,” the place they think about their future life collectively away from Paris. Violetta is as glad as she is inconsolable, as a result of her real love returned, however nearly too late. Alfredo tries to consolation her, and instantly, Germont seems. He has come to apologize to Violetta and inform her that he considers her like a daughter of his personal. Violetta continues to deteriorate, although she feels an awesome happiness, surrounded by those that love her. As a final act, she offers Alfredo a locket containing her portrait, which she tells him to provide to his future bride. With a closing “Oh gioia” (“oh pleasure”), Violetta experiences a surge of vitality, however then collapses in Alfredo’s arms. The Physician checks her pulse and confirms that Violetta is useless. 

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