Traviata Tribute: La Traviata at a Glance

It’s considered by many to be Guiseppe Verdi’s finest opera, and even to be the greatest piece of the opera canon. A disaster on its opening night, LT has since become one of the most popular dramas ever written. Yet in these days of electric guitars and synthesizers, many are not familiar with this gem of the mid-nineteenth century. The entertainment world of the 1850’s would have told you that ignorance of ‘La Traviata’ (In English, ‘The Woman Led Astray’) was as bad as ignorance of the alphabet. I echo them in slightly more modern terms – if you haven’t seen LT, you haven’t lived. As an introduction for those who haven’t seen it, and a refresher for those who have, I will begin with a brief summary of the plot. Please bear in mind that no summary ever gives much of a feel for the actual piece – I remember reading summaries of LT before seeing the opera being rather unimpressed. Please pardon my poor efforts, which have been partly adapted from Wikipedia’s synopsis.

ACT I begins in the drawing room of Violetta Valery, the most famed courtesan in Paris. We find her in the midst of throwing a lavish party for her wealthy friends. She sings happily that she looks to pleasures such as these to gladden her life. Gastone, a count, has brought with him his friend, the young nobleman Alfredo Germont, who has long adored Violetta from afar. While walking to the salon, Gastone tells Violetta that Alfredo thinks of her constantly and that, while she was ill, he came to her house every day. This immediately excites Violetta’s interest, but she maintains an attitude of mere civility toward Alfredo. Baron Duophol looks on jealously. He is asked to give a toast, but refuses. The crowd turns to Alfredo instead. (Alfredo, Violetta, chorus: Libiamo ne' liete calici – " Let’s drink from this chalice of joy").

From the next room, the orchestra begins to play and the guests move there to dance. Violetta feels ill and asks the guests to go ahead and to leave her to recover. Alfredo enters, expresses his concern for her fragile health and later declares his love for her (Alfredo, Violetta: Un di, felice, eterea– "The day I met you"). At first Violetta rejects him, proclaiming herself to love nothing but pleasure, and that the two will soon forget each other. He begins to leave when she gives him a flower, telling him to return it when it has wilted.

After the guests leave, Violetta wonders if Alfredo could actually be the love of her life. She wonders when she stopped dreaming about marriage and turned to thoughts of worldly pleasure (Violetta: Ah, fors'è lui – "Perhaps he is the one"). A moment later, she rebukes herself, singing that constant love if folly, and that she must always be free to ride the whirlwind of pleasure. (Violetta: Sempre libera – "Always free"). As she tries to convince herself, Alfredo’s voice is heard- "Love is the heartbeat of the entire universe."

ACT TWO - Three months later, Alfredo and Violetta are living together in a peaceful country house outside Paris. Violetta has fallen in love with Alfredo and she has completely abandoned her former life. Alfredo sings of their life together. Annina, the maid, arrives from Paris, and, when questioned by Alfredo, she tells him that she went there to sell the horses, carriages, and everything owned by Violetta to support their country lifestyle. Alfredo is shocked to learn that it has been nessecary for Violetta to sell her belongings to support him. He leaves for Paris immediately to settle matters himself.

Violetta returns home and receives an invitation from her friend, Flora, inviting her to a party in Paris. Alfredo’s father, Germont, is announced and demands that, for the sake of his family, she break off her sinful relationship with his son. He is reluctantly impressed by Violetta’s nobility, which is not what he expected from a courtesan. Germont reveals that Violetta’s relationship with Alfredo has threatened his daughter’s engagement (Germont: Pura siccome un angelo – "God gave me a daughter as pure as an angel") because of Violetta's reputation as a courtesan . While she says that she cannot break off her relationship with Alfredo because she loves him so much, Germont pleads with her for the sake of his family. With growing remorse in her heart, she finally agrees. Germont thanks her for her kindness and sacrifice, before leaving her alone, weeping.

Violetta gives a note to Annina to send to Flora as acceptance of the party invitation. As she is writing a farewell letter to Alfredo, he enters. She can barely control her tears; she tells him repeatedly of her unconditional love before rushing out and handing the farewell letter to her servant to give to Alfredo, which he does. As soon as Alfredo finishes reading it, Germont enters and attempts to comfort his son, reminding him of his family in Provence (Germont: Di Provenza il mar – "The Sea of Provence"). Alfredo suspects the Baron is behind this separation with Violetta. The party invitation, which he finds on the desk, strengthens his suspicions. He determines to confront Violetta at the party. Germont tries to stop his son, but he rushes out, determined to gain revenge.

At the party, the Marquis tells Flora that Violetta and Alfredo have separated. She calls for the entertainers to perform for the guests. Alfredo arrives, trying to contain his anger toward Violetta, who arrives with Baron Douphol shortly afterwards. They see Alfredo at the gambling table, and upon seeing them, Alfredo creates a scene about his winning. Irritated, the Baron goes to the gambling table and challenges him. Alfredo wins some large sums of money from the Baron until Floria announces that the supper is ready. Alfredo leaves with handfuls of money.
Everyone goes in to supper, but Violetta asks Alfredo to meet her along. Fearing that the Baron's anger will lead him to challenge Alfredo to a duel, she gently asks Alfredo to leave. Alfredo misunderstands her apprehension and demands that she admit that she loves the Baron. In grief, she does so. Her confession makes Alfredo furious and he calls the guests to witness what he has to say. Alfredo humiliates and denounces Violetta in front of the guests, and then throws his winnings at her for her "services" while they lived together. She falls fainting onto the floor. In search of his son, Germont enters the hall. Knowing the real significance of the scene, he denounces his son's behaviour. Violetta turns to Alfredo and sings, Alfredo, Alfredo, di questo core non puoi comprendere tutto l’amore – "Alfredo, Alfredo, you can never understand how much I love you!"

ACT THREE - After the party, Violetta’s health completely breaks down, and it is discovered that she has consumption. Unable to leave her bed, she dreams of Alfredo. Her only visitors are Doctor Grenvil and a priest, to whom she makes a confession. Dr. Grenvil tells Annina that Violetta will not live long. Alone in her room, Violetta reads a letter sent by Alfredo’s father saying the Baron was only wounded in his duel with Alfredo. The letter also states that he has informed Alfredo of the sacrifice Violetta made for him and his sister; and that he is sending his son to see her as quickly as possible to ask for her forgiveness. But Violetta senses it is too late (Violetta: Addio del passato – "So closes my sad story").

Annina rushes in the room to tell Violetta of the arrival of Alfredo. The lovers are reunited. Alfredo suggests that they leave Paris (Alfredo, Violetta: Parigi, o cara , noi lasceremo – "Dearest, we’ll leave Paris" The old Germont enters with the doctor. Those in the room are the only friends she has left – the other have all deserted her. All at once, a change comes over Violetta. "It’s strange – the pain has stopped. I feel my strength returning. I am coming back to life!" And with these words, she falls into Alfredo’s arms, and dies. The blossom has fallen, and La Traviata is no more.