|
ACT
I. In her Paris salon, the
courtesan Violetta Valéry greets party guests, including Flora
Bervoix, the Marquis d'Obigny, Baron Douphol, and Gastone, who
introduces a new admirer, Alfredo Germont. This young man, having
adored Violetta from afar, joins her in a drinking song (Brindisi:
"Libiamo"). An orchestra is heard in the next room, but
as guests move there to dance, Violetta suffers a fainting spell,
sends the guests on ahead, and goes to her parlor to recover.
Alfredo comes in, and since they are alone, confesses his love
("Un dì felice"). At first Violetta protests that love
means nothing to her. Something about the young man's sincerity
touches her, however, and she promises to meet him the next day.
After the guests have gone, Violetta wonders if Alfredo could
actually be the man she could love ("Ah, fors'è lui").
But she decides she wants freedom ("Sempre libera"),
though Alfredo's voice, heard outside, argues in favor of romance.
ACT II, Scene 1. Some months later Alfredo and Violetta are living in a
country house near Paris, where he praises their contentment
("De' miei bollenti spiriti"). But when the maid,
Annina, reveals that Violetta has pawned her jewels to keep the
house, Alfredo leaves for the city to settle matters at his own
cost. Violetta comes looking for him and finds an invitation from
Flora to a party that night. Violetta has no intention of going
back to her old life, but trouble intrudes with the appearance of
Alfredo's father. Though impressed by Violetta's ladylike manners,
he demands she renounce his son: the scandal of Alfredo's affair
with her has threatened his daughter's engagement ("Pura
siccome un angelo"). Violetta says she cannot, but Germont
eventually convinces her ("Dite alla giovine"). Alone,
the desolate woman sends a message of acceptance to Flora and
begins a farewell note to Alfredo. He enters suddenly, surprising
her, and she can barely control herself as she reminds him of how
deeply she loves him ("Amami, Alfredo") before rushing
out. Now a servant hands Alfredo her farewell note as Germont
returns to console his son with reminders of family life in
Provence ("Di Provenza"). But Alfredo, seeing Flora's
invitation, suspects Violetta has thrown him over for another
lover. Furious, he determines to confront her at the party.
ACT II, Scene 2. At her soirée that evening, Flora learns from the
Marquis that Violetta and Alfredo have parted, then clears the
floor for hired entertainers - a band of fortune-telling Gypsies
and some matadors who sing of Piquillo and his coy sweetheart
("E Piquillo un bel gagliardo"). Soon Alfredo strides
in, making bitter comments about love and gambling recklessly at
cards. Violetta has arrived with Baron Douphol, who challenges
Alfredo to a game and loses a small fortune to him. Everyone goes
in to supper, but Violetta has asked Alfredo to see her. Fearful
of the Baron's anger, she wants Alfredo to leave, but he
misunderstands her apprehension and demands that she admit she
loves Douphol. Crushed, she pretends she does. Now Alfredo calls
in the others, denounces his former love and hurls his winnings at
her feet ("Questa donna conoscete?"). Germont enters in
time to see this and denounces his son's behavior. The guests
rebuke Alfredo and Douphol challenges him to a duel.
ACT III. In Violetta's bedroom six months later, Dr. Grenvil tells Annina her
mistress has not long to live: tuberculosis has claimed her.
Alone, Violetta rereads a letter from Germont saying the Baron was
only wounded in his duel with Alfredo, who knows all and is on his
way to beg her pardon. But Violetta senses it is too late
("Addio del passato"). Paris is celebrating Mardi Gras
and, after revelers pass outside, Annina rushes in to announce
Alfredo. The lovers ecstatically plan to leave Paris forever
("Parigi, o cara"). Germont enters with the doctor
before Violetta is seized with a last resurgence of strength.
Feeling life return, she staggers and falls dead at her lover's
feet.
Source: Metopera Website |
