Cast

Creative Team

ACT 1

Violetta Valéry, a well-known Parisian courtesan, has been convalescing from consumption and throws a party to mark her return. The young Alfredo Germont now arrives at the party, introduced by their mutual friend Gaston. During Violetta’s illness he has been asking after her every day. Violetta goads her rich patron, Baron Douphol, and asks Alfredo to propose a toast. As the guests proceed to the dance hall she collapses and, left alone, Alfredo takes the opportunity to declare his love for her. She warns him that there is no room for love in her life but gives him a camellia and asks him to return when it has withered. He joyfully agrees to visit her the next day. When all the guests have left, Violetta recalls the sincerity of Alfredo’s feelings, and contemplates allowing true love into her life. However, she decides to live by her motto: Sempre libera - to always stay free.

ACT 2, Scene 1

Violetta and Alfredo have been living together for three months in the country, far removed from Violetta’s old life. Alfredo cannot believe his luck. However, Violetta’s maid Annina reveals that Violetta is having to sell all her possessions to afford their life together. Shocked and humiliated by this information Alfredo hurries to Paris with the aim of raising some money.

Violetta receives an invitation to a party that night at Flora’s, her friend and rival, but she discards it. A guest is announced. It turns out to be Giorgio Germont, Alfredo’s father. He bluntly demands that Violetta give up Alfredo and stop living off his allowance. When Violetta reveals it is she who is paying for their life together, he is surprised, but asks her to leave Alfredo for his daughter’s sake who cannot get married with this scandal hanging over the family. He demands Violetta leave Alfredo for ever and not tell him why.

Eventually, Violetta agrees to give up Alfredo for the young girl’s sake. In return she asks Germont to promise that after her death, he will tell Alfredo of her undying love for him.

Distraught, she writes a farewell letter to Alfredo, who then walks in unexpectedly. She asks him to always love her and hurries out of the house. Once she has left a messenger gives Alfredo her farewell letter. He breaks down and his father tries to comfort him. Alfredo sees the invitation to Flora’s party and rushes after Violetta.

ACT II, Scene 2

Flora’s party is in full swing, with a variety of entertainment. Gossip about Violetta leaving Alfredo abounds. To everyone’s astonishment Alfredo walks in and starts gambling. He is on a winning streak. When Violetta arrives with her former patron, Baron Douphol, Alfredo challenges the baron to a game. The baron loses. The guests go to the next room for dinner, and Violetta warns Alfredo of goading the baron. Alfredo demands an explanation for her departure. Reluctantly, she tells him she is in love with the baron. Outraged, Alfredo calls all the guests and publically humiliates Violetta by throwing his entire winnings at her to pay for their time together. Alfredo’s father arrives to witness his son’s bad behaviour, and the baron challenges Alfredo to a duel.

ACT III

Some months later Violetta is dying of tuberculosis. The doctor tells Annina that she only has a few hours to live. Outside, a carnival passes by and Violetta decides to donate her remaining money to the poor. She rereads a letter from Giorgio Germont, in which he tells her that Alfredo wounded the baron in the duel and then fled the country, but now father and son are on their way to Violetta’s sickbed. Germont has told Alfredo about Violetta’s sacrifice.

Alfredo comes rushing in and, beside themselves with joy, they start planning a future together, but it is too late.