La traviata

Melodramma in Three Acts (1853) Music by Giuseppe Verdi Text by Francesco Maria Piave after Alexandre Dumas d. J. The Fallen Woman – this is Violetta Valéry, who leads a life between glory and misery as an Edelkurtisane in Paris. Everything is just play and illusion, even love, until Alfredo Germont awakens her true feelings. However, happiness is a rare guest and of short duration: Violetta, suffering from consumption, is first humiliated and fades away after a final flare-up of her vitality. Violetta Valéry is sick. Musically, her story is told from her death onwards. The dream of an unfulfillable love begins and ends the piece. The party that she has invited to attend is meant as a cure for consumption: in the tumult of the crowd, in the whirl, during shared drinking, she wants to surrender herself to pleasure. Gastone, Vicomte de Létorières, introduces her to a new guest, Alfredo Germont, who has admired her for a year and offers her his love and a peaceful life. Violetta must decide between Baron Douphol, who has paid for her services for a year, or Alfredo, who loves her as she has never been loved before. Early in the morning after the departure of her guests, Violetta seeks clarity about what she wants: serious love or a life that is entirely given over to pleasure. She decides on Alfredo. Violetta and Alfredo have lived together for three months on the countryside. They are happy, but the money is running out. Violetta is busy with the help of her maid Annina selling off her possessions as she no longer earns anything. Alfredo praises his happiness. In his carefree state, he does not think about who finances it. When Annina tells him that Violetta is just about to sell everything, he goes to Paris to find another solution. In the meantime, Alfredo's father Giorgio Germont appears before Violetta. He accuses her of squandering Alfredo's money and reputation as well as that of his family. Violetta initially confronts him decisively. Although Germont realizes his mistake, he argues with all means and tricks against the relationship between Violetta and Alfredo. He asks her to leave Alfredo in order to prevent the planned profitable marriage of his daughter. Violetta realizes that 'good society' does not forgive, that her new life is not accepted. Therefore, she decides on a radical break. She pretends to return to her old life. The invitation to a party at Flora Bervoix, her friend and rival, whom she has just received, offers the opportunity to appear with the Baron. She writes a farewell letter to Alfredo,