La traviata 101 – Characters and Plot
This fall, experience Verdi’s tragic romance, La traviata. One of the most performed operas in history, La traviata is popular for a reason. Learn about the characters and plot below, then see it live at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House.
Looking for the gist of the opera? Check out The Brief Version. If you want to understand more of the intricacies of La traviata, read through The Full Plot.
Performances of La traviata will take place on November 1, 4, 7, and 9. Subscriptions are on sale now for the 2025-26 Season, with single tickets going on sale August 4. Subscribe today and get 20% off the single ticket pricing, or keep an eye out for single tickets!
The Details of La traviata
Composer – Giuseppe Verdi (October 1813 – January 27, 1901)
Librettist – Francesco Maria Piave (May 18, 1810 – March 5, 1876)
Première – March 6, 1853 in Venice, Italy at Teatro la Fenice
Setting – Paris, originally set in the eighteenth century, but later it would be set typically in the nineteenth century (per the composer’s wishes)
Source – Based on a novel & play by Alexandre Dumas fils (July 27, 1824 – November 27, 1895), La dame aux camélias
The Characters of La traviata
Violetta Valéry (soprano) – More than a high-society courtesan suffering from tuberculosis, Violetta is a woman of intellect and social power who lives life on her own terms—even when love and illness demand great sacrifice. Played by Sara Gartland, returning to Opera Colorado after performing as Marietta in Die tote Stadt in 2023.
Alfredo Germont (tenor) – A thoughtful and romantic young man from a well-off family, Alfredo admires Violetta’s strength, but struggles to match it when love is tested. Played by Ben Reisinger, making his Opera Colorado debut.
Giorgio Germont (baritone) – Alfredo’s father is a proud, middle-class man driven to protect his family’s reputation whose worldview changes after seeing Violetta’s dignity and sacrifice. Played by Weston Hurt, making his Opera Colorado debut.
Flora Bervoix (mezzo-soprano) – Violetta’s friend and a fellow member of Parisian high society, Flora plays host to the dramatic events that unfold in the second scene of Act Two.
Annina (soprano) – The caring and loyal maid of Violetta, Annina remains dedicated to her mistress at all times, looking out for her health and happiness.
Gastone de Letorières (tenor) – The young, fun-loving viscount and mutual friend of Violetta and Alfredo, Gastone is the one who introduces the two lovers in Act One.
Baron Douphol (baritone) – A wealthy patron of Violetta’s, the Baron provides Violetta with financial and social stability, making him Alfredo’s rival.
Marchese D’Obigny (bass) – The Marchese is an aristocrat, commonly in attendance at Violetta and Flora’s high-society parties, seen gossiping with Flora in Act Two.
Doctor Grenvil (bass) – A kind doctor known to Violetta’s circle of friends, Grenvil has taken care of Violetta through her illness, both as a doctor and a friend.
The Brief Version of La traviata
Act One:
Violetta, a Parisian courtesan, meets Alfredo Germont, her admirer, at one of her parties. Love may be in the air… but Violetta knows her illness doesn’t give her a lot of time, so she’s unsure whether to dive in and be with Alfredo.
Act Two, Scene One:
Months later, Violetta and Alfredo have moved in with each other in the country. Giorgio Germont, Alfredo’s father, wants Violetta to break up with Alfredo because of her reputation. Even though she really doesn’t want to leave Alfredo, Violetta agrees, requesting that Germont keep the truth hidden until she dies.
Act Two, Scene Two:
Violetta is at her friend Flora’s party in Paris with the Baron Douphol, one of her wealthy patrons. Alfredo arrives, furious with Violetta, and throws his gambling winnings at her for her “services,” humiliating her in front of everyone. She faints, he immediately regrets his actions, and the Baron challenges Alfredo to a duel.
Act Three:
Violetta is dying. Germont had sent her a letter informing her that (1) both men survived the duel (Alfredo won), (2) he told his son the truth about why Violetta left him, and (3) Alfredo is on his way to see her before she dies. Alfredo arrives and they reaffirm their love. Unfortunately, it’s too late, and Violetta succumbs to her tuberculosis, dying in Alfredo’s arms.
The Full Plot of La traviata
Paris in the nineteenth century
La traviata — Act One
August, Violetta’s salon
Violetta’s friends gather at her house for a party. She and her friends welcome their guests, including Alfredo Germont, a young man of some means who’s been pining for Violetta for a while. In fact, Violetta learns that Alfredo visited her home daily when she was very ill, and she points out that not even her wealthy patron, the Baron Douphol, did that for her. As the party continues, Violetta proposes a toast, and Alfredo begins the brindisi, “Libiamo ne’ lieti calici,” a drinking song. Everyone joins in and sings along, drinks in hand. As the night goes on, the guests all begin to dance. Violetta tries to join in the dancing, but she’s not feeling very well. Not wanting to spoil the party, she urges everyone to dance without her. Alfredo, however, stays behind to get some one-on-one time with Violetta. He tries to tell her that she can’t ignore her illness, especially given her lifestyle. Alfredo pledges to stay by her side and keep her safe, confessing his love in the duet “Un dì felice, eterea.” Violetta, having had many admirers, says that he’ll probably forget her soon, and rejects him.
After a while, though, she feels a connection to Alfredo. Before he leaves, Violetta gives him a flower, telling him to give it back to her once it has wilted. After Alfredo departs, Violetta has a moment alone where she wonders if he could be “the one.” In “Ah, fors’è lui,” Violetta reveals that she has never been truly loved, and she’s never truly loved someone else, and the thought of it excites her. Waking herself from this fantasy of love, Violetta puts those feelings aside and resolves that a life of pleasure and freedom is what she wants for her remaining years.
La traviata — Act Two, Scene One
The following January, in a country house outside of Paris
It has been three months since Violetta and Alfredo moved in with each other in their country house. They are completely in love with each other and spend each day in bliss. Everything, however, may not be as perfect as it seems. Annina, Violetta’s maid, returns from Paris, and Alfredo asks her what she went there to do. Annina reveals that she had gone to Paris on Violetta’s behalf to sell all of Violetta’s belongings. Violetta needed the money to support their life together in the country. Shocked and ashamed, Alfredo resolves to fix the situation in Paris himself and leaves. Violetta arrives shortly after, finding an invitation to a party in Paris from her friend, Flora. Giorgio Germont, Alfredo’s father, then enters the home. Germont is not very happy with his son’s romance, and tells Violetta about how her relationship and reputation as a courtesan threatens his daughter’s engagement. Though Germont is surprised by Violetta’s elegance, given her position, he wants her to end her relationship with Alfredo.
Violetta pleads with Germont, telling him that her illness is quite serious and ending their relationship would cause her immense suffering. Germont won’t give in, and tells Violetta that she’ll find someone else to love. Violetta eventually accepts his request, asking Germont to tell his daughter about her sacrifice, as well as making sure that she’ll be the one to break things off with Alfredo. She also asks Germont to only tell Alfredo the truth after she passes away. Germont leaves, and as Violetta begins to write her breakup letter to Alfredo, he appears. Alfredo can sense something is off, but Violetta won’t say anything except how much she loves him. Violetta dramatically declares her love in “Amami, Alfredo,” and leaves him. Alfredo, alone, receives Violetta’s letter from a messenger and he reads about how she is leaving him. He expresses his sorrow to his father, who tries to comfort him. Hearing that Violetta received a party invitation from a friend in Paris, Alfredo’s sorrow turns to anger, as he assumes that she left him for her friends and Baron Douphol. He resolves to go to the party and confront Violetta.
La traviata — Act Two, Scene Two
Paris, Flora’s salon
At her party, Flora and the Marchese D’Obigny gossip with their friends about Violetta and Alfredo’s separation. Flora then calls for the entertainment to begin, and the guests join together to sing various songs about fortune-telling and matadors. As the festivities rage on, Alfredo arrives to confront Violetta. Soon after, Violetta arrives with Baron Douphol, her wealthy patron from Act One. Frustrated by seeing Violetta with the Baron, Alfredo gambles with abandon. The Baron joins Alfredo at the card table, and Alfredo announces that he’ll leave the party with Violetta. Annoyed at his arrogance, the Baron makes bets against Alfredo. Alfredo ends up winning big, but now it’s dinner time. While everyone makes their way to the dining room, Violetta finds Alfredo and takes him to speak in private.
Afraid that Alfredo’s obnoxious behavior will cause the Baron to challenge Alfredo to a duel, Violetta begs him to leave the party. Alfredo refuses, not realizing that she wants to protect him, as he thinks that she just wants to spend time with the Baron. He demands that she admit she’s in love with the Baron, and she lies, saying she does love the Baron. Furious at her confession, Alfredo calls everyone to come see what he has to say. With everyone watching, Alfredo insults Violetta and throws his gambling winnings at her feet, signifying payment for her “services” over the last three months. Upset by this humiliation, Violetta faints. No one is entertained by Alfredo’s gesture, as the crowd and Germont (who just arrived) chastise him for his rudeness. Realizing what he’s done, Alfredo becomes very distressed, begging for forgiveness. As Violetta feared, the Baron challenges Alfredo to a duel. As Violetta’s friends urge her to leave, she tells Alfredo in “Alfredo, Alfredo, di questo core” how he does not understand how much she loves him, and that Violetta will love Alfredo even after she dies.
La traviata — Act Three
One month later, Paris, Violetta’s bedroom
Doctor Grenvil visits Violetta, whose condition has deteriorated drastically. He privately lets Annina know that Violetta’s tuberculosis has progressed, and she has only a few hours left to live. Violetta hears people in the street enjoying the carnival, and thinks of those who are too poor to celebrate, asking Annina to donate what little money she has left to the less fortunate. With Annina gone, Violetta reads a letter from Germont, which recounts how Alfredo won his duel against the Baron (who was only wounded) and is now abroad. Germont revealed Violetta’s sacrifice to Alfredo, as promised, and Alfredo is now on his way to Violetta to hopefully see her before she passes. In the famous “Addio, del passato,” Violetta laments her situation, as she knows her life is ending quite soon.
Alfredo miraculously arrives and the two embrace once more. They sing “Parigi, o cara,” where they imagine their future life together away from Paris. Violetta is as happy as she is inconsolable, because her true love returned, but almost too late. Alfredo tries to comfort her, and suddenly, Germont appears. He has come to apologize to Violetta and tell her that he considers her like a daughter of his own. Violetta continues to deteriorate, though she feels a great happiness, surrounded by those who love her. As a last act, she gives Alfredo a locket containing her portrait, which she tells him to give to his future bride. With a final “Oh gioia” (“oh joy”), Violetta experiences a surge of vitality, but then collapses in Alfredo’s arms. The Doctor checks her pulse and confirms that Violetta is dead.
Are you ready to see the opera live?
Experience this tale of love and loss this November 1, 4, 7, and 9. Subscriptions are on sale now, and allow you to see both La traviata and Madama Butterfly for 20% off single ticket pricing. Subscriptions begin as low as $79.
Single tickets to La traviata go on sale August 4.
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