La TraviataSynopsis
By Garnett Bruce
FRANCE – MID-19TH CENTURY
Act One
Violetta Valéry, a courtesan, has recovered her health and Baron Douphol is throwing an extravagant party to welcome Parisian society back to her home. Flora Bervoix and the Marquis d’Obigny arrive late, followed shortly by Gaston de Letorières who brings an uninvited guest: Alfredo Germont. When the Marquis challenges the Baron to make a toast, the Baron declines and the invitation passes to Alfredo. Dance music is heard in the ballroom, but Violetta collapses momentarily and stays behind. Alfredo sneaks back in, admitting to admiring her for over a year and speaks of the pain and pleasure of unrequited love. She secretly agrees to meet Alfredo the following day, and all the guests bid Violetta farewell. Alone, she considers if falling in love will risk her liberty and independence.
Act Two, Scene One
Violetta and Alfredo, now deeply in love, have taken a country house, but costs are mounting. Violetta has secretly sent Annina, her maid, to sell off some of her possessions. When Alfredo learns of the debt, he races off to raise money to repay Violetta. Alfredo’s father, Giorgio, arrives to insist Alfredo end this romance and return to Provence so that his little sister can have an honest marriage without the shadow of his affair. But, finding only Violetta, he makes the case to her to shed her tears now and return to her former life as a courtesan in Paris. Violetta agrees to this sacrifice but challenges the elder Germont to love her as a daughter and to support Alfredo, who will be brokenhearted. Before she can finish writing a note to Alfredo, he surprises her. She proclaims her love and dashes away. The gardener announces that she has left, and a messenger brings Alfredo Violetta’s note ending their relationship. Giorgio reappears bringing what comfort he can to his son who storms back to Paris to find Violetta.
Act Two, Scene Two
Flora Bervoix is amidst her Spanish-themed casino party, with several of her guests costumed as gypsies and matadors. She marvels at the news that Violetta will attend with Baron Douphol. Alfredo arrives first, announcing he is single and intends to win a fortune at cards. While the rest of the guests move off to dinner, Violetta insists Alfredo must leave or the Baron will kill him. Alfredo, in anger, condemns Violetta in front of the guests, leading the Baron to challenge Alfredo to a duel despite Violetta’s pleas and Giorgio’s admonishments.
Act Three
Some weeks later, Violetta is alone and destitute, forgotten by all except her loyal maid and Dr. Grenvil as she endures the final stages of consumption. The duel took place, leaving the Baron wounded. Alfredo has gone abroad. Violetta clings to a letter from Giorgio claiming he confessed his scheme, and Alfredo will return to be at her side. All are reunited in time for Violetta to ask Alfredo to remember her, handing him a small portrait before she collapses a final time.
