Tenor - Enrique Pina *** Photo by Marilyn Monsanto *** Soprano - Melody Alesi
Act II.
Some months later, Alfredo and Violetta are living in a country home near Paris, where he revels in their contentment. But when the maid, Annina, reveals that Violetta has pawned her jewels to keep the house, Alfredo leaves for the city to settle matters at his own cost. Violetta comes looking for him and finds an invitation from Flora to a party that night. Violetta has no intention of going back to her old life, but trouble intrudes with the appearance of Alfredo’s father. Though impressed by Violetta’s ladylike manners, he demands she renounce his son because the scandal of Alfredo’s affair with her has threatened his daughter’s engagement. Violetta says she cannot, but Germont eventually convinces her. Alone, the desolate woman sends a message of acceptance to Flora and begins a farewell note to Alfredo. He enters suddenly, surprising her, and she can hardly control herself as she reminds him of how deeply she loves him, before she rushes out. Now a servant hands Alfredo her farewell note as Germont returns to console his son with reminders of family life in Provence. But Alfredo, seeing Flora’s invitation, suspects Violetta has thrown him over for another lover. Furious, he determines to confront her at the party.
Act III.
At her soiree that evening, Flora learns from the Marquis that Violetta and Alfredo have parted, then clears the floor for the hired entertainers – a band of fortune-telling Gypsies and some matadors. Soon Alfredo strides in, making bitter comments about love, and gambling recklessly at cards. Violetta has arrived with Baron Douphol, who challenges Alfredo to a game and loses a small fortune to him. Everyone goes into supper, but Violetta has asked Alfredo to see her. Fearful of the Baron’s anger, she wants Alfredo to leave, but he misunderstands her apprehension and demands that she admits she loves Douphol. Crushed, she pretends she does. Now Alfredo calls in the others, denounces his former love, and hurls his winnings at her feet. Germont enters in time to see this and denounces his son’s behavior. The guests join in rebuking Alfredo, and Douphol challenges him to a duel.
Act. IV.
In Violetta’s bedroom six months later, Dr. Grenvil tells Annina that her mistress has not long to live – tuberculosis has claimed her. Alone, Violetta rereads a letter from Germont saying that the Baron was only wounded in the duel with Alfredo, who has since learned the whole story and was on his way to beg her pardon. But Violetta senses that it is too late. Outside, Paris is celebrating Mardi Gras, and revelers are heard in the street. After they pass by, Annina rushes in to announce Alfredo. The lovers ecstatically greet each other and make plans to leave Paris forever. Germont enters with the doctor, and all can see that Violetta is fading fast. But Violetta is seized with a last resurgence of strength. Feeling life return, she rises excitedly, but soon staggers and falls dead at her lover’s feet.