【La Traviata】Synopsis, Character Map

Please come and see me when these flowers fade.

I will see you tomorrow.

Please be an angel of comfort to my family.

Guests
Sorry for the delay. We had a great time at Flora’s soiree and the time flew by.

Thank you, Flora and friends, for coming. Let’s enjoy the rest of the evening.

Flora
I’m worried about your illness if you keep playing like this.

Surrendering to joy is the medicine that cures my illness.

Gastone
I’d like you to meet Alfredo Germont. He is a very good friend of mine.

Thank you for introducing him.

Gastone
Alfredo always thinks of you. He was very worried about you when you got sick.

Please don’t. I’m nothing to him.

Gastone
But I’m not lying.

(To Alfredo) Why? I don’t understand.

It’s true.

Thank you for your consideration. The Baron didn’t care that I was ill, did he?

Barone Douphol
I’ve only known you for a year.

He’s only known me for a few minutes.

Barone Douphol
(whispers to Flora) I don’t like this young man.

Gastone
Baron, would you like to read a poem at this delightful time?

Gastone
Well, Alfredo, how about you?

Drink a glass of joy. Let’s drink the sweet crush that brings love. (looks at Violetta) For a certain eye has an almighty power over my heart.

Libiamo, ne’ lieti calici

I will enjoy spending time with all of you. Anything in this world that doesn’t amuse me is crap. Let’s have some fun, because the joy of love can easily fade away.

That’s because you don’t know love yet.

It’s no use talking to someone who has nothing to do with love.

This is my destiny.

Would you like to waltz?

I’m a little sick. Everyone, please enjoy yourselves in the next room first.

What a pale face I have.

Are you feeling better? I am worried about your health, living like this.

How long have you loved me?

I’ve loved you for a year.

One day you appeared before me. Since that day I have been living in an unknown love. This love is the heartbeat of the whole universe, mysterious and noble, bringing pain and joy to the heart.

Un dì, felice, eterea

If this is true, then run away from me. All I can offer you is friendship. I do not know how to love and I do not suffer from such heroic love.

You will have to find someone else. It won’t be difficult to forget me.　Enough talk of love?

I will follow you. I’ll go.

This flower is for you.

Why?

Please come to see me when these flowers wither.

I’ll come to see you tomorrow.

I wonder. I can’t forget his words. Would serious love be unhappy for me? O troubled soul, what shall I do?

È strano! … Ah, fors’ è lui

(From afar, Alfredo’s voice) That love is the heartbeat of the whole universe, mysterious and noble, bringing pain and joy to the heart.

I’m a fool. I’m just a woman, abandoned in Paris. I am having fun and disappearing in joy. I fly from joy to joy. That’s how I lived my life.

Sempre libera degg’io

It’s been three months. Violetta left a life of luxury for me. She’s happy here. When I am with her, I feel reborn.

She calms the youthful enthusiasm of my burning heart with a smile of love. Since the day she said, “I want to be faithful to you,” I don’t know anything about this world, and I almost feel like I’m in heaven.

De’ miei bollenti spiriti

Where have you come from?

Annina
I’m back from Paris. At your wife’s request.

Why?

Annina
I went to Paris to sell Violetta’s things, her horse and carriage. Life here is expensive.

II’m going to Paris.

Oh, my regret! What a shame. Was I to live in such error? The truth came to me in a foolish dream that was about to be shattered. You have my protection.

O mio rimorso!

Where is Alfredo?

Annina
He has gone to Paris. He will be back in the evening.

A letter from Flora. I guess she found my hiding place. This is an invitation to the soiree tonight. Even though there was no point in waiting for me.

I am Alfredo’s father. I am the father of a man who is fascinated by you and is on his way to ruin.

How dare you say such a thing to a woman. This is my house. I’m leaving. Not for me, but for you.

My son is about to give you a fortune.

You are mistaken. Nothing like this has ever happened to me, and if it did, I would refuse.

But you seem to live in luxury.

I’ve kept it a secret from Alfredo, but I’ll show it to you.

You are willing to give up your possessions for love. Why does the past condemn you?

The past does not exist. I love Alfredo now. Through my repentance, God has erased the past.

What a noble attitude. For this mindfulness, I would like to ask for your sacrifice.

Please don’t say anything.

As Alfredo’s father, I ask for the fate of my two children.

God has given me a daughter who is like an angel. If Alfredo refuses to return to his family, then the young man whose daughter is about to become his bride refuses to commit to her. Do not let the rose of love become a flower of thorns.

Pura siccome un angelo, Iddio mi diè una figlia

I’ll leave Alfredo for a while.

My wish is different.

Should I leave him forever? No. You have no idea how much I love him. I am sick and nearing the end of my days. Do you want me and him to be separated? I’d rather die.

The sacrifice will be great. But listen to me. You are beautiful and young. Men are fickle, you know. Even if a man adores you, it will fade with time. What will happen to you? There is no consolation for you. For heaven does not bless such unions.

Please be a consoling angel for my family.

Even if God forgives, people will not forgive a woman who has gone astray. Please tell the pure young lady that a woman’s sacrifice has been made.

Dite alla giovine, sì bella e pura,

Please weep. I know that I am asking you to make a great sacrifice.

Embrace me as your daughter. Soon Alfredo will return to you. Comfort him.

Is there anything I can do?

I will die soon through illness. I want him to know of my sorrow.

Live and be happy. A gift for these tears will come from heaven.

What are you doing?

Nothing.

It’s a letter. Who are you writing to?

To you.

I’m sorry to pry. I’m worried about you. My father is here.

Have you seen your father?

No, he left me a very stern letter. But he’ll like you when he sees you.

I don’t want to be surprised. I will leave you alone and you can reassure your father. I will kneel before your father. We will be happy. Because you love me.

Why are you crying?

Look, I am smiling at you. Alfredo, love me. As I love you. Goodbye.

Amami, Alfredo, amami quant’io t’amo

She lives for her love for me!

Male servant
Lady Violetta has gone to Paris.

I know. Maybe she wanted to sell her possessions. But the lady’s maid will stop her.

Servant
I have received a letter from the lady.

Why am I trembling? I must be brave and read the letter. Alfredo, when this letter arrives. Ah!

Wipe away your tears. Go back to being my proud son.

Who took from you the sea and the land of Provence? Remember your home, my son.

Di Provenza il mar, il suol chi dal cor ti cancellò?

Leave me alone.

Was it in vain that I found you? No, let’s not condemn you. Let’s go home together.

Will Violetta be at her soiree? I’ll have my revenge on her.

Flora
Tonight I invited Violetta and Alfredo.

Flora’s patron
I heard you broke up. Violetta will be here with the Baron.

Violetta’s doctor
When I saw Violetta and Alfredo yesterday, they looked happy.

Gypsy Women
We are Gypsies from far away. Let us see the future from your hands.

Noi siamo zingarelle venute da lontano

Gastone and the Bullfighters
We are bullfighters from Madrid. We came to Paris to have fun. Let me tell you the saga.

Di Madride noi siam mattadori

Flora
Didn’t you come with Violetta?

I’m not with her.

Barone Douphol
(whispers to Violetta) The man is here.

I know he is.

Barone Douphol
Don’t try to talk to him.

Gastone
You’ve won again.

I’m unlucky in love, so I’m lucky at betting. I’ll win tonight and live happily ever after in the country.

Flora
Will you live alone in the country?

No, with someone who used to be with me in the countryside. But that person ran away from me.

Oh!

Gastone
(To Alfredo) Pity her.

Barone Douphol
(with unpleasant anger) You!

(To the Baron) Please be patient. Otherwise I’ll leave you.

Baron. You wanted to see me, sir?

Barone Douphol
You are very lucky. I’ll bet with you.

(sarcastically) Really? I accept your challenge.

I don’t know what’s going to happen.

Will he come here? Will he listen to me? He will come. Because of his hatred for me.

Why did you call me here?

Please leave this place. You are in great danger. The Baron is a terrible man.

This is a fight for my life and the Baron’s. If the Baron loses, you will lose your lover and your patron. That’s what you’re afraid of.

If the Baron kills you, it will be my only misfortune. It would be so terrible that it would be fatal for me.

My death? What does it matter? I can go if you insist. But you must swear to me. I want you to follow me wherever I go.

…I can’t. I have a sacred promise to keep.

Who would make you say that? Do you love him?

…Yes, I love him.

She lost all her money to be my mistress. Blind, stupid and unhappy, I accepted everything she did. But the time has come. I want to clear my name. I have called all of you as witnesses. I returned the money.

All
How terrible. You killed a sensitive soul. How dare you insult a poor woman. Get out of here. You’ve frightened us all.

I know her virtues. But I can’t tell the truth here.

I have done a terrible thing to her. She will never forgive me.

Alfredo, I know it is hard for you to understand my feelings. I did everything for love.

Alfredo, Alfredo, di questo core non-puoi comprendere tutto l’amore…

Barone Douphol
(To Alfredo) I will not tolerate insults against her.

All
How much pain is that? Everyone here feels your pain. Please wipe away your tears.

Let some light into the room.

Annina
I found a doctor in the street. He is coming this way.

Violetta’s doctor
How do you feel?

My body is suffering, but my soul is at peace. The priest comforted me yesterday.

Violetta’s doctor
You will recover soon.

Doctors tell lies out of pity, don’t they?

Violetta’s doctor
I will see you again.

Annina
What will happen to her?

Violetta’s doctor
Her life will last a few hours.

Is today a holiday?

Annina
It is Carnival.

I wonder how many people are suffering in the midst of the festivities? Look at the money in the cupboard.

Annina
20 louis.

Give 10 louis to the poor. Also, see if there are any letters addressed to me.

You have kept your word. There was a duel between Alfredo and the Baron. The Baron was wounded, but is recovering. Alfredo is abroad. I told him about your sacrifice. He will return to you. I will also come. Take care of yourself. Georges Germont.

It is too late. No matter how long we wait, they will not come. The doctor tells me to have hope. With this kind of disease, all hope is dead.

Goodbye, happy dreams of the past. My rosy face is already pale. I still miss Alfredo’s love.

Hear the prayer of a woman who has gone astray. Accept me, O God, accept me. There will be no flowers or tears on my grave. Everything is over.

Addio, del passato bei sogni ridenti

Annina
Are you feeling well?

Yes, why?

Annina
Will you promise me to stay calm? I want to prevent your sudden joy.

Alfredo is back, isn’t he?

I was wrong. I know everything now. I want you to forgive me and my father.

I was wrong. But love made me do it.

My love, let’s leave Paris. We will spend our lives together. Your health will return. You will be my breath and my light. The future will smile on us.

Parigi, o cara, noi lasceremo

My love, let’s leave Paris. Let us spend our life together. My health will return. You will be my breath and my light. The future will smile on us.

(To Annina) Call a doctor.

If you cannot save me, no one can. Our love must have met a cruel end.

Do not drive hope from your heart.

I will keep my promise. I embrace you like a daughter.

Oh, how late you have come! But I thank you. You see, Doctor? My beloved is taking care of me.

Father, can you see her?

Don’t blame me anymore.

My dear Alfredo. This is my image. If the pure maiden loves you, let her be your bride. Give her my picture. Tell her it is a gift from one who prays from heaven for your happiness.

You will not die!

It’s strange. The pain is gone. I have a different strength. I can live. I am happy!