ACT I Violetta's house in Paris
Violetta Valéry is having one of her many parties. Among her guests
are her friend Flora, the Marchese d'Obigny and Baron Douphol.
Gastone arrives with his friend Alfredo Germont whom he introduces
to Violetta as one of her ardent admirers. Violetta is flattered by Alfredo's
devoted attention. When she serves champagne, he sings the well-known brindisi
Libiamo ne'lieti calici (Let us drink from the joyous goblets).
When the guests begin to leave for the ballroom. Violetta starts to go with them but has a sudden fainting spell. She bids the others go without her, and all except Alfredo leave. He expresses his concern for her health and warns that she must abandon her frivolous way of life. He tells Violetta of his love for her (Un dì felice — One happy day). She responds that she can only offer friendship. Gaston asks them to join the others, but Alfredo prepares to leave. Violetta gives him a camellia she is wearing and tells him he may return to her when it wilts. He promises to come the following day and again tells her of his love and happiness.
Alone, Violetta sings of her joy and of the love Alfredo has kindled in her heart (È strano!...Ah, fors' è lui — It's strange!...Perhaps it is he). Suddenly she thinks of her way of life and decides to forget Alfredo and continue to live life day by day for pleasure (Sempre libera — Always free).
ACT II Violetta's country home near Paris
Alfredo has convinced Violetta to leave her life in the city and they are living
together in the country. He sings of his happiness (Dei miei bollenti spiriti
— Of my ardent spirits). Annina, Violetta's servant, tells him she
has been in Paris to sell Violetta's possessions in order to pay their expenses.
A shocked Alfredo leaves for Paris to recover Violetta's things and to clear
her debts. Soon she enters, looking for Alfredo, and is surprised to learn he
has gone to Paris. When Giuseppe brings her a letter bearing an invitation
from Flora, Violetta reads it and tosses it aside.
A guest is announced; he is Giorgio Germont, Alfredo's father. While he is impressed when he learns that they have been living on her money rather than Alfredo's, he asks her to sacrifice her love. Alfredo's sister is betrothed, and her financé will leave if her brother continues with his scandalous life-style (Pura siccome un angelo — Pure as an angel)
Violetta tells of her love and happiness, but Germont, although sympathetic with her plight, assures her Alfredo's love will not last. She finally agrees to leave her lover, but asks Germont to tell both his daughter and Alfredo of her sacrifice after she is dead (Dite alla giovine — Tell the young girl). With an embrace, Germont tells her he is grateful and departs.
Quickly Violetta writes a note accepting Flora's invitation and a letter to Alfredo. When he returns, she says she must leave but tearfully asks him to love her as she will always love him (Amami, Alfredo — Love me, Alfredo)
After she goes, a Messenger appears and hands Alfredo her letter. As he reads, his father returns. The letter is Violetta's farewell, and Germont attempts to console his shocked and disconsolate son (Di Provenza il mar — From Provence, the sea...). Alfredo then sees the letter from Flora and rushes off in a fit of jealousy.
ACT III Flora's home
The guests are entertained by gypsies who are telling fortunes. After dancers
perform an imitation bullfight, Alfredo enters alone. Soon Violetta arrives
with Baron Douphol. Alfredo gambles with him and wins. When supper is announced,
the Baron promises to continue the game later. All leave, but Violetta and Alfredo
return. She warns him to leave; she fears the Baron will kill him. He promises
to leave if she will follow him, but she tells him she has made a solemn vow
to see him no more. When he demands to know to whom she made the vow, she lies,
telling him it was the Baron with whom she is now in love. Angrily he calls
the guests back and, announcing that Violetta has spent everything she had on
him, throws his purse of winnings at her feet. He has now paid her back in full!
She faints, and the shocked and angered guests demand he leave. His father,
who has just arrived, also denounces him. When Violetta revives, she tells the
remorseful Alfredo she still loves him. As the curtain falls, the Baron challenges
him to a duel.
ACT IV Violetta's bedroom, some time later
A poignant prelude portrays the mortally ill Violetta. Her doctor tells Annina
that she will probably die by nightfall. Violetta rereads a letter she has received
from Giorgio Germont in which he tells her that the duel has been fought and
the Baron wounded. He has told his son of her sacrifice, and Alfredo is on his
way to beg her forgiveness. Violetta knows it is too late (Addio al passato
— Goodby to the past). As the sound of revelers is heard from outside,
Alfredo rushes in, begs her forgiveness and asks her to leave with him forever
(Parigi, o cara, noi lasceremo — We will leave Paris dearest), but
she weakens and falls into a chair. Annina goes for the doctor, and soon returns
with him and the elder Germont who admits he has wronged Violetta and blesses
her. Violetta gives Alfredo a minature portrait of herself, telling him he must
give it to the girl he will one day marry (Se una pudica vergine —
If some gentle maiden). Feeling a sudden surge of energy, she speaks of being
reborn, then falls lifeless as Alfredo calls her name.