Opera Guide and Synopsis: La Traviata, by Giuseppe Verdi

Giuseppe Verdi's tragic opera La Traviata is based on the play La Dame aux Cornelias by Alexandre Dumas, fils. It was originally titled Violetta after the main character. The libretto was written by Francesco Maria Piave, who collaborated with Verdi on many of his operas, including Rigoletto and La forza del destino.

La Traviata premiered at La Fenice, Venice on March 6, 1853. Despite the opera's beauty, it was at first failure for the composer. Audiences of the time rejected the opera's modern setting, preferring period costume, and the cast members were, for one reason or another, incapable of performing their roles. When it was performed again a year later, this time set c. 1700, the crowds loved it.

Characters in La Traviata

• Violetta Valery, a courtesan, ill with consumption (Soprano)
• Flora Beloix, her friend (Soprano)
• Annina, Violetta's maid (Mezzo-soprano)
• Alfredo Germont, Violetta's admirer (Tenor)
• Giorgio Germont, his father (Baritone)
• Giuseppe, Violetta's servant (Tenor)
• Gastoné de Letorières, Alfredo's friend (Tenor)
• Baron Douphal, Alfredo's rival (Baritone)
• Marquis d'Orbigny (Baritone)
• Dr. Grenvil (Bass)

Synopsis of La Traviata

Act I - Violetta's House

Violetta is hosting a grand party. Gastoné tells her that Alfredo is desperately in love with her. At her request, he sings, and the crowd joins in. She begins to feel faint and takes her leave. Alfredo follows her, saying that he has loved her from afar and begging her to give up her life as a courtesan. She tells him that she is incapable of love. She is touched, however, and offers him a flower, telling him to return it when it has faded. Her guests leave, and she wonders what it would be like to fall in love. She quickly rejects the idea, however, not wishing to become weak.

Act II

Scene 1 - A Country House Near Paris

Some months have passed. Violetta has abandoned her former life and is living with Alfredo. He learns from Annina that Violetta has been selling her jewels to maintain their country house, and heads to Paris to earn money in order to pay her back.

Violetta enters. She has received an invitation from Flora to a party, and muses on the former life she led. Alfredo's father appears. He wishes her to leave Alfred so that the scandal of their romance will not break up an advantageous marriage for Alfredo's sister. He implies that Alfredo will eventually abandon her, and she agrees to leave him.

Violetta decides to accept Flora's invitation, and composes a farewell letter to Alfredo. Alfredo enters, anxious, as he is expecting his father. She begs him to reassure her of his love.

Alfredo learns that Violetta has left. His father enters, requesting that Alfredo return with him to the family home. Alfredo finds Violetta's letter, in which she says she has returned to Paris to be with the Baron Douphol, and rushes to find her.

Scene 2 - Flora's House

Flora entertains her guests. Alfredo enters and begins playing cards. Violetta arrives with the Baron. She begs Alfredo to leave, warning him of the Baron's anger. Angrily, he calls for all the guests, tells them of his love for Violetta and her betrayal, and throws his winnings at her feet as payment for the country house.

Alfredo's father enters and reproaches him, saying that he understands Violetta's goodness and the sacrifice she made for love.

Act III - Violetta's Bedroom

Violetta lies in bed, sick and weakened. Dr. Grenvil reassures Violetta that she will recover, but confides in Annina that she only has a few hours to live. Violetta knows that she will soon die; she is expecting Alfredo, who has learned of her sacrifice, but does not believe he will arrive in time. She hears the sounds of the Carnival outside and asks Annina to give the last of her money to the poor.

Alfredo arrives. She wishes to go to church with him, but cannot get out of bed. She prays that God spare her life, now that she is with her love. Alfredo's father enters and embraces Violetta as a daughter. She promises to pray for Alfredo and his future wife and, triumphant in the knowledge of eternal life, dies.

Sources:

• Kobbé, Gustav. The Complete Opera Book. New York and London: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1919.
• Melitz, Leo, trans. Richard Salinger. The Opera Goer's Complete Guide. New York: Dodd, Mead & Co., 1921.
• Newman, Ernest. Stories of the Great Operas and Their Composers. Garden City: Garden City Publishing Co., Inc., 1930.