The Summary of La Traviata Libretto

La Traviata is one of the best-loved plays that melted heart for over 150 years. It is one of the most frequently filmed plays of all operas that recounts in music the tragic love story between Violetta (Paris Prostitute) and a young man, Alfredo. The play is sectioned in three parts: Act I, Act II and Act III. In the play, the mysterious power of love of Alfredo for Violetta and her irresistible pledge for pleasure is evidence.

Act I

In the mid-19^th century, in Paris, a great party is taking place at salon in the house of Violetta. She is the most famous high-class prostitute in Paris. A young man, Alfredo, has been admiring Violetta from afar, and he comes to the party and sings the song of “Brandisi” to appease Violetta. Alfredo uses this opportunity to express his feelings for her after his sings. Afredo seizes the moment when he and she are alone and confesses his love for her. At first, Violetta protests the she had no interest in true because she is a prostitute but something about the man’s sincerity attract her. She is perplexed about Alfredo’s pure mind and she promises to meet him the next day. Violetta is pessimistic if he is the kind of man she will want to love, but she decides that she needs freedom. Meanwhile, Alfredo is heard outside arguing in favor of romance (Ditson 6).

Act II

Some months later, Violetta leaves the fashionable society, and she enjoys her peaceful union with Alfredo in the suburbs of Paris. One day when Alfredo is away, Violetta receives unexpected visit from Germont, Alfredo’s father. Earlier, Violetta gets an invitation from Flora to go to party at night but she declines because she does not want to return to her old life. Despite her desire to live a reformed life, Germont puts pressure on her so that she can break up with his son-due to her past life. Violetta feels desolate and decides to go back to her old life. As a result, it upsets their marriage plans of Alfredo’s sister, though she does not disclose this to Alfredo. Alfredo, not knowing anything, confronts her for breaking his trust in her.

Same night, Alfredo pursues Violetta and throws accusations at her in from of guests where she was invited by her patron, Baron (Ditson 10).

Act III

After few months, Violetta is ill and in fact, she lies down on her bed alone for some days. Violetta has been aware of her sickness since the beginning when she lived with Alfred. Alfredo seeks to pardon her for forgiveness but she knows that it is too late and death is fast approaching. Alfredo had been give true account of his father’s actions. The lovers ecstatically swear to live together but time is up. Violetta remembers the time she had spent with Alfreado as she is stopped with a last resurgence of strength. She falls dead while lying on her lover’s feet (Ditson 23).

La Traviata presents the most psychological characters in the opera plays; the love between a high-class prostitute and a young man drive by his delight of true love for her. The play presents the unspoken, mysterious and unattainable love that opens with a gorgeous scene in Act I and leaves the audiences with sorrow in Act II when we learn that Violetta was to have a tragic end-death. The play befits stories of pleasures of love that blossoms like a flower and withers, no longer to be enjoyed.

Works Cited

Ditson, O. Verdi’s opera La traviata. Boston: Giuseppe Verdi, Francesco Maria Piave, 1859.

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