La Traviata LibrettoA1 - Preludio

Act 1A2 - Coro - Dell’invito trascorsaA3 - Alfredo – Libiamo, ne’ lieti caliciA4 - Tutti – Che e cio?A5 - Alfredo – Un di felice, etereaA6 - Violetta – E strano! E stano!... Ah! Fors’e lui..A7 - Violetta – Follie!... Sempre libera

Act 2Scene IA8 - Alfredo – Lunge a leiA9 - Alfredo – De’ miei bollenti spiritiA10 - Alfredo – O mio rimorso!A11 - Germont – Pura siccome un angeloA12 - Violetta – Dite all giovine… Morro! La mia memoriaA13 - Violetta – Dammi tu forza, o cielo! … Amami, AlfredoA14 - Germont – Di Provenza il mar, il suol…A15 - Germont – No, non udrai rimproveri

 Scene IIB1 - Flora, Zingarela – Avrem lieta di maschere la notte… Noi siamo zingarelleB2 - Tutti, Alfredo – Alfredo! Voi!... Or tutti a me… Ogna suo averB3 - Germont – De sprezzo degno

Act 3B4 - Violetta – Annina? – Comandate?B5 - Violetta – “Teneste la promessa…” E tardi… Addio del passato…B6 - Coro di maschere – Baccanale: Largo al quadrupedeB7 - Annina, Violetta – Signora – Che t’accade?...B8 - Alfredo, Violetta – Parigi, o cara… Ah! Gran Dio! Morir si giovineB9 - Germont, Violetta - Ah Violetta!... Se ua pudica vergine 

A1 - Preludio

Act 1A2 - Coro - Dell’invito trascorsaA3 - Alfredo – Libiamo, ne’ lieti caliciA4 - Tutti – Che e cio?A5 - Alfredo – Un di felice, etereaA6 - Violetta – E strano! E stano!... Ah! Fors’e lui..A7 - Violetta – Follie!... Sempre libera

Act 2Scene IA8 - Alfredo – Lunge a leiA9 - Alfredo – De’ miei bollenti spiritiA10 - Alfredo – O mio rimorso!A11 - Germont – Pura siccome un angeloA12 - Violetta – Dite all giovine… Morro! La mia memoriaA13 - Violetta – Dammi tu forza, o cielo! … Amami, AlfredoA14 - Germont – Di Provenza il mar, il suol…A15 - Germont – No, non udrai rimproveri

 Scene IIB1 - Flora, Zingarela – Avrem lieta di maschere la notte… Noi siamo zingarelleB2 - Tutti, Alfredo – Alfredo! Voi!... Or tutti a me… Ogna suo averB3 - Germont – De sprezzo degno

Act 3B4 - Violetta – Annina? – Comandate?B5 - Violetta – “Teneste la promessa…” E tardi… Addio del passato…B6 - Coro di maschere – Baccanale: Largo al quadrupedeB7 - Annina, Violetta – Signora – Che t’accade?...B8 - Alfredo, Violetta – Parigi, o cara… Ah! Gran Dio! Morir si giovineB9 - Germont, Violetta - Ah Violetta!... Se ua pudica vergine 

 In the year 1853 Verdi had seen Alexander Dumas’ “La dame aux carmélias”. It was interesting especially because of the society reasons. It was a story about the writer’s love to a famous Parisian courtesan Marie Duplessis. He was so encharmed with her that he forgot about his strict rules and squandered his money. His financial status forced him to leave her. But after her death (she died of tuberculosis in the age of 23), his feeling flared up again. He dedicated one of his best romances to her – at first as a novel and later as a theatrical

performance.

 Verdi was very brave to choose this romance for his new libretto. In sinful Paris the story had a taste of scandal, in religious Italy it was a scandal. The first performance was a failure. The audience couldn’t accept that the main character is an immoral courtesan and what’s more she is a likable person, the only positive in the play. It didn’t like that the opera took place in the present (they wanted orientalism and history) and that the heroine dies in a banal way – from tuberculosis, in her own bed. Those people didn’t see that it was a monument for one of the most important parts of life in Italy – the family. The courtesan Violetta lives together with Alfredo because she wants to have a family after the years of loneliness. She agrees to leave him only after she has been convinced by his father that it is for his own good. She sacrifices her love to rescue the family of her beloved. She knows that the family is the most important; she is understood better by Alfredo’s father than the boy himself. Their duet in which Violetta asks for holding her tight just as a father holds his daughter is the central part of the opera.

After the failure Verdi changed his work a little bit. He placed it at the beginning of XIXth century and he changed the title: from the irritating "La Traviata" ("The Fallen Woman") to a neutral "Violetta". This time, in Venece, it was a success (and only a year later!).

 Today this opera is a quintessence of opera’s style. For example, the synopsis: a story of young people, who cannot be together because of the social conventions and the family of a boy. However it is encharming because of Verdi’s music: subtle, sometimes passionate. There are many popular parts in this opera, especially including a duet "Libiamo"!

 Synopsis. Paris, the second half of XIXth century. A beautiful courtesan Violetta abandons her happy but empty life and binds with s young nobleman Alfred Germont. His father demands that Violetta

leaves, because this relationship disgraces the Germont family. Violetta agrees for Alfredo’s sake, however he doesn’t know the reason and offends her in public. Abandoned by everybody, poor and ill, Violetta is dying all alone. In her last moments the Germonts arrive – Alfred found out about everything and begs her to forgive him. Violetta dies.

 Plot Summary

 Act IVioletta, a consumptive courtesan, falls in love with Alfredo.

Act IIScene 1: Alfredo's father convinces Violetta that she must leave him for the honor of the family. Scene 2: Alfredo publicly insults Violetta at a party. The guests are shocked.

Act IIIVioletta dies.

Dramatis Personæ

Violetta Valéry, a demi-mondaine (Prima donna soprano) Flora Bervoix, her friend and fellow hostess (Mezzo-soprano comprimario) Annina, Violetta's maid (Seconda donna) Alfredo Germont, (Primo tenore) Giorgio Germont, his father (Primo baritono) Gastone, Vicomte de Letorières, friend of Alfred (Tenore comprimario) Barone Douphol, Violetta's protector (Baritono comprimario) Marchese d'Obigny, friend of Flora (Secondo basso) Dottore Grenvil (Basso profundo) Giuseppe, Violetta's servant (Secondo tenore)

Un domestico di Flora (Corifeo basso) Un commissario (Corifeo basso)

Amici ed amice di Violetta e Flora; piccadori, zingare, servi di Violetta e Flora; maschere [Friends of Violetta and Flora; picadors and gypsies; servants of Violetta and Flora; maskers]

Setting: Paris and environs, around 1700

La Traviata

Giuseppe Verdiopera in 3 acts, 4 sceneslibretto: Francesco Maria Piave after Alexander Dumas Jr.

A1-Preludio

PreludeA room in Violetta’s house. Violetta is seated on a sofa talking to the Doctor and some other friends, who come and go. Some of the guests turn to meet a group of new arrivals, amongst whom are the baron and Flora, on the arm of the Marquis.

ACT 1

A2 - Coro - Dell’invito trascorsaCHORUSIt’s long past the time you were invited,You’re late.We’ve been playing cards at Flora’s,Time flies when one is playing.

VIOLETTA(going to meet them)Flora, my dear friends, the eveningWill be gayer now you’re here,Let’s raise our glasses and enjoy ourselves.

FLORA AND THE MARQUISCan you be so gay?

VIOLETTAI must be;I put my faith in pleasureAs a cure for all my ills.

ALLYes, pleasure adds zest to life.(Gaston, Vicomte de Letorieres, entering with Alfredo. The servants prepare the table.)

GASTONAlfredo Germont, dear lady, Is a great admirer of yoursAnd one of my many valued friends.

VIOLETA(giving her hand to Alfredo, who kisses it)Thank you, Viconte, for sharing such a gift.

MARQUISMy dear Alfredo!

ALFREDOHow are you, Marquis?

GASTON(to Alfredo)Didn’t I tell you that friendshipIn this house joins hands with pleasure?(The servants, meanwhile, have laid the supper table.)

VIOLETTA(to the servants)Is it ready, now?(The servant nods assent.)Sit down, my dear friendsAnd let’s open our hearts to each other…

ALLYou say well, for wine is a friendThat puts secret sorrow in flight!(they sit down with Violetta between Alfredo and Gaston.)Let’s open our hearts to each other.

GASTON(softly, to Violetta)Alfredo thinks of nobody but you

VIOLETTAYou’re joking

GASTONWhen you were illHe came every day,Enquiring anxiously about you.

VIOLETTABe quiet!I’m nothing to him.

GASTONI’m telling you the truth.

VIOLETTA(to Alfredo)Is it true? But why should you?I don’t understand.

ALFREDO(with a sigh)Yes, it is true.

ALFREDO(gallantly)May you beAs immortal as she.

ALLLet’s drink!

GASTONNow, Baron,Can’t find you a verse, a toastTo mark this happy moment?(The Baron shakes his head.)(turning to Alfredo)What about you?

ALLYes, yes, a drinking song!

ALFREDO

The Muse doesn’t smile on me.

GASTONCommand her, Master!

ALFREDO(to Violetta)Would it please you?

VIOLETTAYes.

ALFREDO(rising)Yes? You put heart into me.

MARQUISListen, now…

ALLYes, let’s hear the singer.

A3 - Alfredo – Libiamo, ne’ lieti calici

ALFREDOLet’s drink from the joyous chaliceWhere beauty flowers…Let the fleeting hourTo pleasure’s intoxication yield.Let’s drinkTo love’s sweet tremors –To those eyesThat pierce the heart.Let’s drink to love – to wine

That warms our kisses.

ALLAh! Let’s drink to love – to wineThat warms our kisses.

VIOLETTA(rising)With you I would shareMy days of happiness;Everything is folly in this worldThat does not give us pleasure.Let us enjoy life,For the pleasures of love are swift and fleetingAs a flower that lives and diesAnd can be enjoyed no more.Let’s take our pleasure!While its ardent,Brilliant summons lures us on.

ALLLet’s take our pleasureOf wine andSinging and mirthTill the new dayDawns on us as in Paradise

VIOLETTA(to Alfredo)Life is just pleasure)

ALFREDO(to Violetta)But if one still waits for love…

VIOLETTA(to Alfredo)I know nothing of that – don’t tell me …

ALFREDO(to Violetta)But there lies my fate.

ALLLet’s take our pleasureOf wine andSinging and mirthTill the new dayDawns on this paradise of ours.(Music is heard from other room.)

A4 - Tutti – Che e cio?

ALL What’s that?

VIOLETTAWould you like to dance now?

ALLOh, what a pleasant thought!We all accept.

VIOLETTALet’s go then!(The guests move towards the centre door, but Violetta turns suddenly pale.)Oh!

ALLWhat’s the matter?

VIOLETTANothing, nothing.(She takes a few steps)

ALLWhy do you linger?

VIOLETTALet’s go!(She is obliged to sit down.)Oh, heavens!

ALLAgain!

ALFREDOAre you ill?

ALLHeavens! What’s the matter?

VIOLETTAI’m trembling.(She indicates the other room)But go along.I’ll join you in a moment.

ALLIf you say so.(They all go into the other room except for Alfredo.)

VIOLETTA(Getting up to look at herself in the glass)Oh, how pale I am!(She turns to Alfredo)You here!

ALFREDODo you feel upset?

VIOLETTAI’m better now.

ALFREDOThe way you were going onYou’ll kill yourself.You should take more care of your health.

VIOLETTAHow can I?

ALFREDOOh, if I only had the right,I’d be the most watchful guardianOf your dear life.

VIOLETTAWhat a thing to say!Who cares what happens to me?

ALFREDO(ardently)For no one in the world loves you..

VIOLETTANo one?

ALFREDO… except me.

VIOLETTA(laughing)That’s true!I’d forgotten that grand passion.

ALFREDOYou laugh!But all the same, you have a heart.

VIIOLETTAA heart? Yes, perhaps.Why do you ask?

ALFREDOYes if you had, You wouldn’t make fun of me.

VIOLETTAAre you really serious?

ALFREDOI wouldn’t deceive you.

VIOLETTAThen how long have you loved me?

A5 - Alfredo – Un di felice, eterea

ALFREDO

For more than a year.One happy dayYou flashed lightly into my life;And since then I livedIn tremulous possessionOf that unspoken love,The pulse of the whole world,Mysterious, unattainable,The torment and delight of my heart.

VIOLETTAIf that is true, then leave me.Friendship is all I can offer you.I don’t know how to love,I couldn’t feel so great an emotion.I’m being honest with you – sincere…You should look for someone else,Then you wouldn’t find it hardTo forget me.

GASTON(appearing at the centre doorway)Well now! What he devil are you up to?

VIOLETTAWe are taking nonsense.

GASTONHa, ha! Splendid! Go on!

VIOLETTA(to Alfredo)So no more about love.Is that a promise?

ALFREDOI’ll do as you say, I’ll go.(He turns away.)

VIOLETTASo its come to that already!(She takes a flower from her corsage.)Take this flower.

ALFREDOWhy?

VIOLETTASo that you can bring it back to me.

ALFREDO(turning back)When?

VIOLETTAWhen it’s withered.

ALFREDOYou mean…. tomorrow?

VIOLETTAVery well, tomorrow.

ALFREDO(rapturously taking the flower)I’m happy..Oh, so happy!

VIOLETTA

Do you still say you love me?

ALFREDO(about to go)How much, how much I love you!I’m happy.. oh, so happy

VIOLETTAYou’re going?

ALFREDO(coming back to kiss her hand)I’ll go now.

VIOLETTAGood-bye then.

ALFREDOI ask for nothing more.Good-bye.(He goes out.)

(All others come in from the ballroom flushed with dancing.)

ALLThe dawn is breaking in the skyAnd we must take our leave;Thank you, dear ladyFor such a splendid party.The town is still a-revelling;Pleasure rolls on its way.In slumber we’ll store up againThe zest for further joys.(They got out, right.)

A6 - Violetta – E strano! E stano!... Ah! Fors’e lui..

VIOLETTA(alone)How strange it is... how strange!Those words are carved upon my heart!Would true love bring me misfortune?What do you think, o my troubled spirit?No man before kindled a flame like this.Oh, joy…I never knew…To love and be loved!Can I disdain thisFor a life of sterile pleasure?Was this the man my heart,Alone in a crowd,Delighted many times to paintIn vague, mysterious colours?This man so watchful yet retiring,Who haunted my sick-bedAnd turned my feverInto a burning flame of love!That love,The pulse of the whole world,Mysterious, unattainable,The torment and delight of my heart.It’s madness. It’s empty delirium!A poor, lonely womanAbandoned in this teeming desertThey call Paris!What can I hope? What should I do?Enjoy myself? Purge into the vortexOf pleasure and drown there!

Enjoy myself!

A7 - Violetta – Follie!... Sempre libera

VIOLETTAFree and aimless I must flutterFrom pleasure to pleasure,Skimming the surfaceOf life’s primrose path.As each day dawns,As each day dies,Gaily I turn to new delightsThat make my spirit soar.

ALFREDO(outside the window)Love is the pulse…

VIOLETTAOh!

ALFREDO… of the whole world…

VIOLETTAYes! Love!

ALFREDOMysterious, unattainable,The torment and delight of my heart.

VIOLETTAIt’s madness!Pleasure!

Free and aimless I must flutterFrom pleasure to pleasure,Skimming the surfaceOf life’s primrose path.As each day dawns,As each day dies,Gaily I turn to new delightsThat make my spirit soar.

ACT 2SCENE IA country house near Paris. A ground floor room.

A8 - Alfredo – Lunge a lei

ALFREDO(enters wearing hunting clothes; putting down his gun)There’s no pleasure in life when she’s away!It’s three months now since ViolettaGave up for me her easy, luxurious lifeOf love-affairs and expensive parties…There she was used to the homage of allWho were enslaved by her beautyBut she seems happy here in thisCharming place,Where she forgets everything for me.With her beside me, I feel myself reborn,Revived by the breath of love,Forgetting the past in present delights.

A9 - Alfredo – De’ miei bollenti spiriti

My passionate spiritAnd the fire of youthShe tempers with theGentle smile of love.Since the day when she told me“I want to live, faithful to you alone!”I have forgotten the worldsAnd I lived like one in heaven…(Annina enters in great agitation, dressed for travelling.)Annina, where have you been?

ANNINAParis

ALFREDOWho sent you?

ANNIANMy mistress

ALFREDOWhy?

ANNINATo sell the horses and carriagesAnd all her other things.ALFREDOWhat do you mean?

ANNINAIt’s very costly living here on our own.

ALFREDOBut why didn’t you tell me?

ANNINAShe said I mustn’t.

ALFREDOMustn’t? How much do we need?

ANNINAA thousand louis.

ALFREDOAll right, you may go…I’m going to Paris myself.Don’t tell your mistress that you talked to me;There’s still time to put things straight.Go! Go!(Annina goes out.)

A10 - Alfredo – O mio rimorso!

ALFREDOOh, my remorse! Oh, disgrace!And I lived so mistaken!Bu the truth, like a flash!Has broken my base sleep!For a little while be calm in my breast,Oh, cry of honour;In me you shall have a sure avenger;I shall was away this infamy!(Alfredo goes out. Violetta enters with some papers in her hand, talking to Annina. Behind them is Giuseppe.)

VIOLETTAWhere’s Alfredo?

ANNINAHe’s just gone to Paris.

VIOLETTAWhen’s he coming back?

ANNINABefore it gets dark…He told me to tell you.

VIOLETTAIt’s strange!

GIUSEPPE(presenting her with a letter)This is for you.

VIOLETTA(taking the letter)Very well. In a little whileA man will be coming on business.Show him in at once.(Annina and Giuseppe go out. Violetta opens the letter.)

VIOLETTA(alone, reading)Aha! Flora’s discovered my hiding-place;She invites me to a dance this evening!(She throws the letter on the table and sits down.)She’ll wait for me in vain.(Giuseppe come sin and approaches Violetta)

GIUSEPPE

There’s a gentleman here.

VIOLETTAIt’ll be the man I am expecting.(signing to Giuseppe to show him in)

GERMONTMademoiselle Velery?

VIOLETTAYes.

GERMONTI’m Alfredo’s father.

VIOLETTA(surprised, invites him to sit down)You are?

GERMONT(sitting down)Yes, I’m the father of that headstrong boy,Who’s rushing to his ruinBecause of his infatuation for you.

VIOLETTA(rising indignantly)I am a woman Sir, And this is my house;Please excuse me if I leave you,More for your sake than mine.(She turns to go out.)

GERMONT

(to himself)What manners!All the same…

VIOLETTA(returning to her chair)There must be some mistake!

GERMONTHe wants to make everything over for you.

VIOLETTAHe wouldn’t dare,I should refuse.

GERMONT(looking round him)You live luxuriously…

VIOLETTA(showing him a document)That puzzles a lot of peopleBut you shall know the truth.

GERMONT(looking at the document)Heavens! What are you telling me?You’re sacrificingEverything you possess?Is that how the past reproaches you?

VIOLETTA(with enthusiasm)The past is over. I love Alfredo now,

God has wiped out his past.He knows of my repentance!

GERMONTYour feelings do you credit.

VIOLETTA(getting up)How kind your voice sounds now.

GERMONTI have to ask a sacrificeOf those noble feelings of yours.

VIOLETTANo! Don’t tell me!Don’t tell me your terrible demand!I foresaw it… I expected it…I was too happy!

GERMONTAlfredo’s fatherPleads with you now for the futureOf his two children!

VIOLETTAHis two children?

A11 - Germont – Pura siccome un angelo

GERMONTYes.God gave me a daughterAs pure as an angel;

And if Alfredo refusesTo return to the bosom of his family,The man she loves and who loves her,The one whose wife she was to be,Will break the chainThat has to bind them in their happiness.I pray you not to change the rose of theirLove to flowers of sadness.Surely your heart will not denyThe prayer I utter now.

VIOLETTAAh yes, I understand.If I feltAlfredo for a time…It would be a sacrifice, but then…

GERMONTThat’s not what I’m asking.

VIOLETTAHeavens! What more do you expect?So much I’ve offered already!

GERMONTBut not enough.

VIOLETTAYou want me to leave himFor ever?

GERMONTIt’s necessary.

VIOLETTAOh, no! Never!No, never!You cannot know the kind of passion,Living, overwhelming –That burns in my heart!I have no friends, no family still living.Alfredo swore,That I should find them all in him.How should you know that my lifeIs threatened by a fell disease?That already I see the end is near?If I parted from Alfredo,My suffering would be so unbearableThat I would rather die,Why yes, much rather die!

GERMONTThe sacrifice is heavy,But hear me out with patience,You’re young and beautifulAnd in time…

VIOLETTAOh, say no more…I understood you.But it’s impossible for me…I want nothing but to love him!

GERMONTThat may be,But men are often less faithful.

VIOLETTA

Oh, heavens!

GERMONTOne day, when timeHas put your charms to flight,Boredom will swiftly rise.What will happen then? Think!The gentle balm of affectionWill not hold for you,Because the threads that bound youHad not been blessed in heaven.

VIOLETTAIt’s true!

GERMONTH, why not, then abandonSo tempting a dream?

VIOLETTAIt’s true!

GERMONTBe the consoling angelOf my family!Violetta, only think,You still have time for that.My child, it’s God who inspiresThe words this father speaks.

VIOLETTA(in great grief)So, for the wretched womanWho’s fallen once,

The hope of rising is for ever gone!Though God should show His mercy,Man will never forgive her.(to Germont, weeping)Say to your daughter, pure as she is and fair,That there’s a victim of misfortuneWhose one ray of happinessBefore she diesIs a sacrifice made for her.

GERMONTWeep, unhappy girl, weep!I see the sacrifice I askIs the greatest one of all,In my own heart I feel your sorrow;Have courage, and your generousHeart will conquer!

VIOLETTATell me what I must do.

GERMONTSay you don’t love him.

VIOLETTAHe won’t believe me.

GERMONTThen leave him.

VIOLETTAThen would follow me.

GERMONT

Then..

A12 - Violetta – Dite all giovine… Morro! La mia memoria

VIOLETTAAs your daughter now embrace me,So may you give me strength.(embracing Germont)Soon he will be restored to you,But more unhappy than words can tell.You must be thereTo comfort him.(She indicates the garden.)(She goes to the writing-table)

GERMONTWhat are you doing?

VIOLETTAIf I told you,You would oppose me.

GERMONTYou are generous indeed!And what can I do for you?What can I do for you who are so generous?

VIOLETTA(turning to him)I shall soon die!And he’ll not curseMy memoryIf you tell him

How much I suffered.

GERMONTNo, generous girl, you must live,You must be happy,For one dayHeaven will repay you for these tears.

VIOLETTALet him know the sacrificeI made of the loveThat will be hisTill I draw my last breath.

GERMONTYour sacrifice shall be rewarded,And in the days to comeYou will be proudOf so great a love.Yes!

VIOLETTASomeone is coming, you must go now.

GERMONTI thank you from my heart!

VIOLETTAGo now.(They embrace.)We may not meet again.

VIOLETTA AND GERMONTMay you be happy! Farewell!

(Germont goes to the door.)

VIOLETTA(weeping)Let him know the sacrificeI made of he love…

GERMONT(at the door)Yes! Yes!

VIOLETTAThat will be his forever…(Her tears stile the words)Farewell!

GERMONTFarewell!

VIOLETTA AND GERMONTMay you be happy! Farewell!(Germont goes through the door into the garden.)

A13 - Violetta – Dammi tu forza, o cielo! … Amami, Alfredo

VIOLETTA(sitting down to write)Heaven, give me strength!(She rings the bell.)

ANNINAYou want me?

VIOLETTA

Yes,Deliver this note to yourself…

ANNINA(surprised at the name on he note)Oh!

VIOLETTAHush! Go a once.(Annina goes out.)And now a note to him.What shall I say?Who will give me the courage to say it?(She writes and seals the letter.)

(Alfredo comes in.)

ALFREDOWhat are you doing?

VIOLETTA(folding the letter)Nothing.

ALFREDOYou were writing?

VIOLETTA(confused)Yes… no…

ALFEDOWhy are you confused?Who were you writing to?

VIOLETTATo you.

ALFREDOGive me the letter.

VIOLETTANo, later.

ALFREDOI’m sorry,There’s something worrying me.

VIOLETTA(getting up)What is it?

ALFREDOMy father’s arrived…

VIOLETTAHave you seen him?

ALFREDONo.But he left me an angry letter.I shall wait for him.He’ll love you when he sees you.

VIOLETTA(in great agitation)Don’t let him find me here…Let me go…

You can calm him down…(near to tears)I’ll throw myself at his feet,Hw won’t want any part of us anymore.We shall be happy,Because you love me, Alfredo,Don’t you?

ALFREDOSo very much, but why are you crying?

VIOLETTAI felt like cryingBut I am better now.(controlling herself)You see… I’m smiling… you see?I’m all right now…I’m smiling,I shall be there among the flowers,Always near to you.Love me Alfredo,Love me as I love you!Farewell!(She runs out to the garden.)

ALFREDOHer love for meIs her whole life!(He sits down and picks up a book, reads for a moment, then gets up and looks at the clock above the fireplace.)It’s late, perhaps my fatherWon’t come back today.

GIUSEPPI

(entering hurriedly)Madame has gone,There was a carriage waiting,It’s on its way to Paris now.Annina went on ahead.

ALFREDOI know, don’t agitate yourself.

GUISEPPE(to himself)What does that mean?(He goes out.)

ALFREDOI expect she’s gone to hurry up the saleOf her things,But Annina will stop her.(His father is seen in the distance, crossing the garden.)There’s someone in the garden?Who is it?(He turns to go out.)

MESSENGER(at the door)Monsieur Germont?

ALFREDOYes.

MESSENGERA lady in a carriage,A little way from here,

Gave me this note for you.(He gives Alfredo a letter, receives a tip and goes out.)

ALFREDOFrom Violetta! Why am I so disturbed?Perhaps she suggest my joining her?I’m afraid! Oh heaven! Give me courage!(He opens the letter and reads.)“Alfredo, when you get this note…”(He cries out.)Ah!(He finds himself in his father’s arms.)My father!

A14 - Germont – Di Provenza il mar, il suol…

GERMONTMy son!I know how much you suffer!But don’t give way to tears,Rather become your father’sPride and joy again.(Alfredo, in despair, sits down near the table with his face in his hands)What has vanished from your heartThe dear sea and soil of Provence?What has dimmed from your eyesThe bright sunshine of your native country?Even in sorrow,Remember you were happy there,There alone can peaceShine on you again.It was God who brought me here!You do not know

What pain your old father has suffered!With you awayHis home has been desolate indeed.But if in finding you againMy hopes are not in vain,If the voice of honourIs not silent for youGod has heard me!(He embraces Alfredo.)What, no response to your father’s love?

ALFREDOA thousand serpents devour my breast.(Repulsing hi father)Leave me.

GERMONTLeave you?

ALFREDO(resolutely)Oh, revenge!

GERMONTNo more delay.Let us go, hurry.

ALFREDOAh, it was Douphol!

GERMONTAre you listening to me?

ALFREDO

No!

A15 - Germont – No, non udrai rimproveri

GERMONTI have found you in vain?No, you will not hear reproaches;Let us cover the past with oblivion:Love which has guided me to youCan forgive everything.Come, see again with meYour dear ones rejoicing;Do not deny such joyTo those who have suffered till now.Hasten to console a father and a sister.

ALFREDOAh!(Freeing himself, he sees Flora’s letter on the table.He reads it hastily and exclaims)She’s gone to the party!I’ll have my own back for that!(He rushes out.)

GERMONTWhat’s that you say? Stop?

SCENE II

A brilliantly lighted, richly furnished room in Flora’s house. A door at the back and one on each side. Downstage right is a table where guests are playing cards; on the left another table decked with flowers, where refreshments are set out. There are chairs and a sofa.

(Flora, the Marquis, the Doctor and the other guests come in left, talking to each together.)

B1 - Flora, Zingarela – Avrem lieta di maschere la notte… Noi siamo zingarelle

FLORAThere’ll be maskersTo liven up the evening;The young vicomte at their head.And I’ve invited Violetta and Alfredo…

MARQUISHadn’t you heard thatVioletta and Germont have parted?

DOCTOR AND FLORAIs it true?

MARQUISShe’ll be coming with the baron.

DOCTORBut I saw them only yesterday!They seemed happy enough.(There is the sound of new arrivals, off right.)

FLORAHush! Do you hear?

ALL(moving right)Our friends are coming.

(A crowd of guests wearing masks and gypsy costumesenter right.)

GYPSY GIRLSWe are gypsies,Come from a distant land;We can red the futureIn anybody’s hand.We’re in touch with the stars;Nothing is hidden from us,All the happenings of the futureWe can reveal to you.

FIRST GYPSYLet’s see;(looking at Flora’s hand)You, Madame,Have several rivals.

SECOND GYPSY(looking at the Marquis’s hand)You, MarquisAre no model of faithfulness.

FLORA(to the Marquis)Are you at your games again?Believe me, I shall make you pay!

MARQUIS(to Flora)What the deuce do you mean?It’s an utter falsehood!

FLORAThe fox may change his skin,But he doesn’t forget his tricks.My dear Marquis, you be careful,Or you may be sorry for it.

ALLCome along, Let’s draw a veilOver what has past and gone;What is done, can’t be undone.Let us welcome what’s to come.(Flora and the Marquis press each other’s hands.)(Gaston comes in right, with a lively hand of guests in masks, dressed as Spanish bullfighters and picadors.)

GASTON AND BULLFIGHTERSWe’re matadors from Madrid,The heroes from the bull-ring,We’ve come to enjoy the funThat Paris makes over the fatted ox;There’s tale we can tell, if you’ll listen,And would like to know how we can love!

FLORA, THE DOCTOR, THE MARQUIS, CHORUS LADIESYes, yes, you splendid fellows, tell us!We are eager to hear you!

GASTON AND THE BULLFIGHTERSThen listen.There’s a matador of Biscay,The bold handsome Piquillo;Strong arm and proud of aspect,He’s the lord of the arena.With an Andalusian maiden

He fell violently in loveBut the saucy little beautyChallenged her admiring swain;“Let me see you bring to earthFive bulls in a single day,And if you return in triumphYou shall have my heart and hand.”“I accept!” said the bullfighterAnd he hurried to the fight;All five bulls the conquering heroStretched lifeless upon the sand.

FLORA, THE DOCTOR, THE MARQUIS, CHORUS LADIESBravo, bravo, brave bullfighter,You have shown yourself a hero,And have proved to the maidenThe kind of love yours is.

GASTON AND THE BULLFIGHTERSMidst the cheering he went backTo the girl of his heart,And eagerly embraced his prizeIn the strong arms of love.

FLORA, THE DOCTOR, THE MARQUIS, CHORUS LADIESWith feats like this, bullfightersKnow how to win the fair.

GASTON AND THE BULLFIGHTERSBut here our hearts are gentler,We make do with fun and games!

ALLYes, lively friends, first let us try

The temper of fickle fortune;Let us open the listsTo the bold gamester.(The men take off their masks. Some move around and some get ready for gaming. Alfredo enters.)

B2 - Tutti, Alfredo – Alfredo! Voi!... Or tutti a me… Ogna suo aver

ALLAlfredo! You!

ALFREDOYes, my friends.

FLORAWhere’s Violetta?

ALFREDOI don’t know.

ALLHow unimpassioned! Bravo!Now, let’s have a game!

FLORA(Violetta enters in the arm of the Baron.)Here’s the one we’ve been waiting for.

VIOLETTAI couldn’t refuse such a lovely invitation.

FLORAI’m grateful to you too, Baron,

For consenting to come.

BARON(softly to Violetta)Germont is here!Do you see?

VIOLETTA(to herself)Heavens! So he is!(softly to the Baron)Not a word!

BARON(somberly)Not a wordFrom you to Alfredo,Not a word!

VIOLETTA(to herself)Ah, why did I come?It was rash of me!Heaven,Have mercy on me!(Flora makes Violetta sit beside her on the sofa. The Doctor approaches them; the Marquis talks to the Baron. Gaston cuts the cards; Alfredo and the other stake their money. Guests pass to and fro.)

FLORASit down with meAnd tell me about the new turn of events.(Flora and Violetta talk together.)

ALFREDOFour!

GASTONYou’ve won again.

ALFREDOUnlucky in love,Lucky in cards…(He takes again and wins.)

ALLHe’s winning all the time!

ALFREDOOh, I shall win tonightAnd return happilyTo the countryTo spend my winnings.

FLORAAlone?

ALFREDOOh no, with her who has with me there,Until she ran away form me.

VIOLETTA(to herself)Dear God!

GASTON(to Alfredo, pointing to Violetta)Spare her feelings.

BARON(to Alfredo angrily)Monsieur!

VIOLETTA(softly to the Baron)Remain calm or I leave you.

ALFREDODid you speak to me Baron?

BARON(ironically)You’re so favoured by fortuneThat I am tempted to try my luck…

ALFREDO(with equal irony)Really? I’ll take you on.

VIOLETTA(to herself)Ah! I fell like death!Great heaven,Have pity on me!

BARON(staking his money)A hundred louis on the right…

ALFREDO(pushing over his stake)And a hundred on the left…

GASTON(cutting)An ace… a knave…(to Alfredo)You win!

BARONWill you double?

ALFREDODouble it is!

GASTON(cutting)A four… a seven…

ALLAgain!

ALFREDOThen I’m the winner.

ALLBravo! Alfredo has all the luck.

FLORAThe Baron’s going to pay for hat stay in the country… I can see that!

ALFREDO(to the Baron)Shall we go on?(A servant enters.)

SERVANTSupper is served.

FLORALet’s go!

ALLLet’s go.

VIOLETTA(to herself)What’s going to happen? I fell like death!Great heaven,Have pity on me!

ALFREDO(to the Baron)If you’d like to go on?

BARONWe can’t now;I’ll have my revenge later.

ALFREDOAt any game you like.

BARONLet’s follow our friends… later…

ALFREDOI’ll be at your service.(moving upstage)Let’s go.

BARON(as they go out)Let’s go.(Everybody goes out, the stage is emptyfor a few moments.)

VIOLETTA(returns in a state of great agitation, followed by Alfredo)I’ve asked him to follow me.Will he come? Will heed me?I think he’ll come, for his terrible hatredMoves him more than my words…

ALFREDOYou called me?

VIOLETTAYou must go,You are in danger!

ALFREDOAh, I see, but that’s enough,So you think I am a coward?

VIOLETTANo, never!

ALFREDOWhat are you afraid of?

VIOLETTAThe Baron frightens me.

ALFREDOIt’s a question of life and death between us.If I will kill him,You’ll lose lover and protectorAt a single blow.Doesn’t such fate terrify you?

VIOLETTABut if he should be the killer?That’s the only thoughtThat puts the fear of death into me.

ALFREDOMy death? What do you care about that?

VIOLETTAPlease go, do at once!

ALFREDOI’ll go if you will swearThat wherever I go,You will follow me…

VIOLETTANo, never!

ALFREDONo, never!

VIOLETTAGo, you are wicked!Forget a name that’s without honour!Go, leave me this minute.I’ve made a solemn vow

To fly from you.

ALFREDOWho to? Tell me, who could make you?

VIOLETTAOne who had every right.

ALFREDOWas it Douphol?

VIOLETTA(with great force)Yes!

ALFREDOThen you love him?

VIOLETTAYes… I love him…

ALFREDO(turning to the door and shouting)Come here, all of you!

(The rest of the company rush in.)

ALLYou called us? What do you want?

ALFREDO(Pointing to Violetta, who leans feebly against a table.)You know this lady?

ALLYou mean Violetta?

ALFREDOBut you don’t know what she’s done.

VIOLETTAOh, don’t!

ALLNo.

ALFREDOFor this woman lost all she possessed.I was blind,A wretched coward,I accepted it all.But it’s time now for meTo clear myself from debt.I call you all to witness hereThat I have paid her back!(Contemptuously, he throws his winnings at Violetta’s feet. She swoons in Fiona’s arms. Alfredo’s father arrives suddenly.)

ALLWhat you have done is shameful!So to strike down a tender heart!You have insulted a woman!Get out of here!We’ve no use for you!We’ve no use for such as you!Go!

B3 - Germont – De sprezzo degno

GERMONT(dignified in his anger)A man who offends a woman, even in his anger,Merits nothing but scorn.Where is my son/I see him no moreIn you, Alfredo,No more in you.

ALFREDO(to himself)What have I done? Yes, I despise myself!Jealous madness, love deceived,Ravaged my soul, destroyed my reason.How can I ever gain her pardon?I would have left her but I couldn’t;I came here to vent my anger,But now I’ve done so, wretch that I am,I feel nothing but deep remorse!

FLORA, ASTON, THE DOCTOR, THE MARQUIS THE CHORUS(to Violetta)Yes, you have suffered,But take heart!Each one of us have shared your pain;Friends are about you to dry the tearsYou have shed.

GERMONT(to himself)

Alone I know the true devotionThis girl hides within her breast;I know her faithful heartThat’s vowed so cruelly to silence.

BARON(softly to Alfredo)Your deadly insult to this ladyOffends us all, but such an outrageShall not go unavenged!I shall find a way to humble your pride!

ALFREDOAlas, what have I done?What have I done?How can I everGain her pardon?

VIOLETTA(coming to herself)Alfredo, how should you understandAll the love that’s in my heart?How should you know that I have proved it,Even at the price of your contempt?But the time will come when you will know,When you’ll admit how much I loved you.God save you from all remorse!Even after death, I shall still love you.(Germont leads is son away with him; the Baron follows, Flora and the Doctor take Violetta into the other room as the rest of the company disperses.

ACT 3

Violetta’s bedroom. Violetta is asleep on the bed; Annina, seated near

the fireplace, is dozing.

B4 - Violetta – Annina? – Comandate?

VIOLETTA(Sitting up)Annina!

ANNINA(waking in confusion)Did you call me?

VIOLETTAWere you asleep? Poor Annina!

ANNINAForgive me!

VIOLETTAGive me a sip of water.(Annina does so.)Look and see if it’s daylight.

ANNINAIt’s seven o’clock.

VIOLETTALet’s have a little light.

ANNINA(drawing the curtains and looking out)Dr. Grenvil…

VIOLETTA

What a good friend he is!I must get up, help me.(She rises but falls back, then with Annina’shelp, moves slowly over to the couch. The Doctor arrives in time to help her.)How kind you are!To think of me so early!

DOCTOR(feeling her pulse)How do you feel?

VIOLETTAWeak in body,But tranquil in soul.A good priest came yesterdayTo comfort me.Religion’s a great solace when one’s ill.

DOCTORAnd last night?

VIOLETTAI slept soundly.

DOCTORThen we must take heart,Convalescence is not far away.

VIOLETTADoctors are allowedA pious fib.

DOCTOR

(taking her hand)Good-bye, I’ll see you later.

VIOLETTADon’t forget me.

ANNINA(softly, as she goes to the door with the Doctor)How is she, Monsieur?

DOCTORThe illness only gives her a few hours.(He goes out.)

ANNINA(to Viola)Take courage, now!

VIOLETTAIs it a holiday?

ANNINAIt’s the carnival, Paris is running wild.

VIOLETTAGod knows how many poor souls areSuffering while the people enjoy themselves!How much have we left in the drawer?(pointing to the chest-of-drawers0

ANNINA(opening it and counting)Twenty louis.

VIOLETTATake tenAnd give them to the poor.

ANNINAYou won’t have much left.

VIOLETTAAs much as I will need…Go and see if there are any letters for me.

ANINAWhat about you?

VIOLETTANothing will happen to me…But please hurry.

B5 - Violetta – “Teneste la promessa…” E tardi… Addio del passato…

(Annina goes out. Violetta draws a letter from her breast and reads it in a low voice, speaking in time to the music.)

“You kept your promise…The duel took place.Te Baron was wounded,But is getting better..,.Alfredo is abroad.I have told him of your sacrifice.He is coming back to ask your pardon…I shall come too.Take care of yourself…

You deserve a better future.Georges Germont.”(sadly)It’s too late!(getting up)I wait and wait, but they never come!(She looks at herself in the glass.)How changed I am!But the Doctor still urges me to hope!With such a diseaseAll hope is dead!Farewell, happy dreams of by-gone days;The roses in my cheeks already are faded.Even Alfredo’s love is lacking.To comfort and uphold my weary spirit.Oh, comfort, sustain an erring soul,And may God pardon and make her his own!Ah, all is over,All is over now

B6 - Coro di maschere – Baccanale: Largo al quadrupede

MASKED CHORUS(offstage)Make way for the quadrupled,Lord of the feast,His head is wreathed aboutWith flowers and vineleaves.Make way for the gentlestOf all horned beasts.Greet him withHorns and pipes.People of Paris, give wayTo the Fat Ox’s triumphe.

Not Asia nor AfricaEver saw a finer;He’s the pride and boastOf every butcher.Lively masqueraders,Crazy young boys,Hail him, all of you,With music and song!(Annina hurries back.)

B7 - Annina, Violetta – Signora – Che t’accade?...

ANNINA(hesitating)Madame…

VIOLETTAWhat’s happened?

ANNINAYou do feel better today,Don’t you?

VIOLETTAYes, but why?

ANNINAWill you promise to keep calm?

VIOLETTAWhat are you trying to tell me?

ANINAI must warn you a joy you don’t expect.

VIOLETTADid you say joy?

ANNINA(nodding her head)Yes, Madame.

VIOLETTAAlfredo! You’ve seen him!He’s coming! Oh, hurry!(Annina nods confirmation, goes to open the door. Violetta goes to the door.)Alfredo!(Alfredo appears, pale with emotion, and theyfall into each other’s arms.)Alfredo beloved!Oh, what joy!

ALFREDOOh, my Violetta!Oh, what joy!How much to blame I am,But now, dearest, I know everything!

VIOLETTAI only know I have you back!

ALFREDOJudge how much I love youFrom the beating of my heart!I can no longer live without you!

VIOLETTA

That you find me still aliveMeans that sorrow cannot kill.

ALFREDOForget the pain, beloved,Forgive me and my father.

VIOLETTAThat I should pardon youWhen I am the one to blame?But it was love that made me so.

ALFREDO AND VIOLETTANot man or devil, my angel,Shall ever part you from me again.

B8 - Alfredo, Violetta – Parigi, o cara… Ah! Gran Dio! Morir si giovine

ALFREDOWe’ll leave Paris, my dearest,Together we’ll go through life.In reward for your past sorrows,You’ll bloom into health again.Breath of life, sunshine you’ll be to me,All the years to come will smile on us.

VIOLETTAWe’ll leave Paris, my dearest,Together we’ll go through life.

ALFREDOYes.

VIOLETTAIn reward for past sorrows,I shall bloom into health again.Breath of live, sunshine you’ll be to me,All the years to come will smile on us.Ah, no more!Let’s go to church, Alfredo,And give thanks for your return.(She falters)

ALFREDOYou’ve gone pale!

VIOLETTAIt’s nothing.A joy so sudden is overwhelming,When one has been sad at heart.(She falls, exhausted, into a chair.)

ALFREDO(supporting her in alarm)God in heaven! Violetta!

VIOLETTAIt’s the way the illness takes me!Just weakness!I’m all right now.Se! I’m smiling.

ALFREDO(sadly)How cruel fate is!

VIOLETTA

It was nothing!Annina, help me to dress.

ALFREDONot now! Wait a little…

VIOLETTANo! I want to go out.(Annina brings Violetta’s clothes, which she tries to put on, but nearly falls from weakness.)Oh, heaven! I can’t!(She falls back in the chair.)

ALFREDOTo see her like this!(to Annina)Go and get the Doctor!

VIOLETTA(to Annina)Tell him Alfredo is back,Back in my arms,Tell him I want to love again!(Annina goes out.)But if you haven’t saved me by coming back,No one on earth can do it.(getting up impetuously)Ah, God in heaven!That I should die so young,After so much suffering!To die so near the dawnAfter the long night of tears!It was only an illusion,My hope and my belief!My heart, so long in believing

Was constant all in vain.

ALFREDOBreath of my lifeAnd beating of my heart,My soul’s only delight!Let me mingleMy tears with yoursBut more than ever, believe me,I need your true devotion. So do not close your heartTo all hope.

VIOLETTAOh, Alfredo, how sad an endingTo our love and m life!

ALFREDOOh, Violetta, your sadnessIs worse to me than death!

B9 - Germont, Violetta - Ah Violetta!... Se ua pudica vergine

GERMONT(enters with Annina and the Doctor)Ah, Violetta!

VIOLETTAYou, Monsieur?

ALFREDOFather!

VIOLETTA

You didn’t forget me?

GERMONTI come as promised,To embrace you as a daughter,Most generous girl!

VIOLETTAAlas, you come too late!(They embrace)Bit I am grateful, all the same.You see, Dr. Grenvil, I die in the armsOf those I hold dearest in all the world.

GERMONTWhatever are you telling me?(looking at her)Heaven help us! It’s true!

ALFREDOYou see how it is with her, father?

GERMONTSay no more, don’t torture me,Remorse seizes my soul,Her every word strikes me like lightening!(Violetta opens a drawer and takes out a medallion.)Rash old fool that I was,Only now do I seeWhat I have done!

VIOLETTACome closer,Alfredo, my beloved,

(sadly)Take this picture of meIn happier days gone byAs a remembrance of herWho loved you truly.

ALFREDODon’t talk to me of dying,You must live on, beloved;God would not bring on meSo dreadful a misfortune…

GERMONTDear, sublime victimOf a desperate love,Forgive me for theTorment inflicted on your fair heart.

VIOLETTAIf some gentle maidenIn the springtime of her lifeShould give to you her heart,Let her be your wife, for such is my wish.Give her this pictureAnd tell her it’s the gift of oneWho from heaven, amongst the angels,Prays always for her and for you.

ANNINA, GERMONT, THE DOCTORAs long as I have tears to shed,I shall weep for you.Fly to the regions of the blest,For God calls you to Him!

ALFREDODeath cannotDivide youFrom me so soon!Live, or a single coffinShall enclose me with you!

VIOLETTA(reviving)How strange!

ANNINA, ALFREDO, GERMONT, THE DOCTORWhat?

VIOLETTA(speaking)The spasms of pain have ceased!I feel reborn in me the strengthThat was once mine!I feel I’m coming back to life!Oh, joy!(She falls back on the sofa.)

ANNINA, GERMONT, THE DOCTOROh, heavens! She is dying!

ALFREDOVioletta?

ANNINA, GERMONTOh, God, she needs help!

THE DOCTOR

(after feeling her pulse)She is dead!

ANNINA, ALFREDO, GERMONTOh, my grief!