“La traviata” by Giuseppe Verdi libretto (English)

Contents: Roles; Act One; Act Two; Act Three

ACT TWO

Scene One

A country house near Paris.
A drawing room on the ground floor. in the
background, facing the audience, there is a fireplace;
on the mantelpiece, a clock and above it a mirror. On
either side of the fireplace, French doors open on a
garden. On the floor above, two other doors, facing
each other. Chairs, tables, books, writing materials.
(Alfredo enters in hunting clothes.)

ALFREDO (putting down his shotgun)
I have no joy in life when she is far away!
Three months have passed
since Violetta gave up for me
a life of ease, luxury, love affairs
and the pomp of society,
where, surrounded by adoration,
she enslaved all with her beauty.
Now, happy in this quiet country home,
she has forgotten everything for me. And here,
near her, I feel like a man reborn;
invigorated by the pulse of love,
I have forgotten the past in the joy of being with her.
The violent fire
of my youthful spirits
was tempered by the quiet smile of her love!
Ever since the day when she said:
"I want to live only for you"
I seem to live in heaven,
unmindful of the world.
(Annina enters, dressed for travelling.)

ALFREDO
Annina, where have you come from?

ANNINA
From Paris.

ALFREDO
Who sent you?

ANNINA
My mistress.

ALFREDO
Why?

ANNINA
To take the horses, the carriages,
and whatever else is hers.

ALFREDO
What is this!

ANNINA
It is very expensive, living here all alone.

ALFREDO
What are you hiding from me?

ANNINA
I was sworn to silence.

ALFREDO
Sworn! Tell me, how much is needed?

ANNINA
A thousand louis.

ALFREDO
Go now - I shall go to Paris.
Madam must know nothing of our talk.
I can still take care of everything.
(He leaves. Soon Violetta enters with various papers in
her hand. She speaks with Annina.)

VIOLETTA
Alfredo?

ANNINA
He has just left for Paris.

VIOLETTA
When will he come back?

ANNINA
Before evening.
He asked me to tell you.

VIOLETTA
How strange!

GIUSEPPE (handing her a letter)
For you.

VIOLETTA (taking it)
Good. In a few minutes a man is coming
on business.
Show him in immediately.

(Violetta, reading the letter)
Aha! Flora has found my hideaway!
She has invited me to a dance this evening!
She'll wait for me in vain.

GIUSEPPE
A gentleman to see you.

VIOLETTA
It must be the man I'm expecting.
(She gestures for Annina to admit him. Giorgio
Germont enters.)

GERMONT
Mademoiselle Valéry?

VIOLETTA
Yes.

GERMONT
I am Alfredo's father!

VIOLETTA
(Surprised, she offers him a chair.)
You!

GERMONT
Yes, father of this reckless lad, who is
rushing to his ruin because of you.

VIOLETTA (rising, with resentment)
I, sir, am a woman and in my own home.
Now please excuse me,
more for your sake than for mine.
(She is on the point of going out.)

GERMONT
(What spirit!) And yet -

VIOLETTA
You have been badly advised.

GERMONT
He wants to give you all his possessions.

VIOLETTA
So far, he hasn't dared - I should refuse.

GERMONT (looking about him)
Such luxury -

VIOLETTA
This paper is a secret from everyone.
But it shall not be from you.
(She gives him the paper.)

GERMONT (after looking at them briefly)
Heavens! What is this!
You wish to sell
everything you own?
Ah, why does your past accuse you so?

VIOLETTA
The past does not exist - I love Alfredo now;
God wiped out my past with my repentance.

GERMONT
These are truly noble sentiments!

VIOLETTA
Ah, how good to hear these words from you!

GERMONT
And in the name
of these sentiments, I ask a sacrifice -

VIOLETTA (arising)
Ah, no, do not say it.
Certainly you would ask some frightening thing.
I knew it - I expected you - I was
too happy.

GERMONT
Alfredo's father
asks you to decide the fate
of his two children.

VIOLETTA
His two children!

GERMONT
Yes.
God blessed me with a daughter,
like an angel in her purity;
if Alfredo refuses to return
to the bosom of his family,
the young man in love and beloved in turn,
who was soon to marry my daughter,
would reject this bond
on which our happiness depends.
Ah, do not be the cause of love's roses
changing into thorns.
Do not let your heart refuse
what I so fervently ask of you. No! No!

VIOLETTA
Ah, I understand - I must leave Alfredo
for a time. It will be painful
for me - yet -

GERMONT
That is not what I ask.

VIOLETTA
Heaven, what more can you ask!
I offered much!

GERMONT
But not enough.

VIOLETTA
You want me to give him up forever?

GERMONT
You must!

VIOLETTA
No - never! No, no!
Can you not see what tremendous,
burning love I feel for him,
I, who have no friends or family
among the living?
Don't you know that Alfredo swore
that I should find everything in him?
Don't you know that my life
is endangered by a terrible disease,
that I have but a short time to live?
To leave Alfredo forever?

Ah, the anguish would be so cruel
that I should prefer to die.

GERMONT
The sacrifice is great,
but hear me out patiently.
You are still young and beautiful -
in time -

VIOLETTA
Ah, say nothing more.
I understand - I cannot -
I shall never love anyone but him.

GERMONT
That may well be - but men are often fickle.

VIOLETTA
Oh God!

GERMONT
Once time has staled
the delights of love,
tedium will follow quickly.
Then what? Think -
Even the deepest feelings
can bring you no balm,
since this bond was never
blessed by heaven.

VIOLETTA
It's true! It's true!

GERMONT
Ah, then lay aside this beguiling dream.

VIOLETTA
It's true! It's true!

GERMONT
Be rather the consoling angel
of my family.
Violetta. Think -
You still have time.
Young lady, it is God who inspires
these words on a father's lips.

VIOLETTA
All hope of rising again is forever gone.
For the wretched woman who erred one day!
Even if God grants her mercy charitably
Man will always be implacable.

GERMONT
Be rather the consoling angel of my family.

VIOLETTA (then, to Germont as she weeps)
Oh, tell your daughter, so lovely and pure,
that a poor and wretched woman,
who has but one precious thing in life -
will sacrifice it for her - and then will die!

GERMONT
Weep, weep, poor girl. I see now
that the sacrifice I asked could not be greater.
Within my heart I feel what you must suffer;
be brave, your noble heart will conquer all.

VIOLETTA
Tell your daughter, so lovely and pure,
that a poor and wretched woman,
who has but one precious thing in life -
will sacrifice it for her - and then will die!

GERMONT
I see now that the sacrifice
I asked could not be greater,
within my heart I feel what you must suffer,
be brave, your noble heart will conquer all.
Weep, poor girl.

VIOLETTA
Tell me what I must do.

GERMONT
Tell him you don't love him.

VIOLETTA
He won't believe me.

GERMONT
Go away, then.

VIOLETTA
He will follow me.

GERMONT
Then -

VIOLETTA
Embrace me as if I were your daughter -
it will give me strength.
(They embrace.)

Soon he will be yours
again, but desperately sad.
(pointing to the garden)
Out there you will hurry
to comfort him.
(Violetta sits down to write.)

GERMONT
What is it?

VIOLETTA
If I told you, you would oppose my wish.

GERMONT
Generous woman! What can I do for you?
Generous woman!

VIOLETTA (returning near him)
I shall die! Let him not
curse my memory;
when I am dead, let someone
tell him of my suffering.

GERMONT
No, generous woman, you must live,
and live in happiness.
Heaven one day
will recompense these tears.

VIOLETTA
Let him know the sacrifice
which I made for love -
for the very last breath of life
will be for him alone.

GERMONT
And your heart's sacrifice
will be rewarded.
Then your heart will be proud
of so noble an act. Yes, yes, yes -

VIOLETTA
Let him know the sacrifice
which I made for love -
For the very last breath of life
will be for him alone.

GERMONT
Of so noble an act
then your heart will be proud
of so noble an act.
And your heart's sacrifice
will be rewarded.
Then your heart will be proud
of so noble an act.

VIOLETTA
Someone is coming...you must leave.

GERMONT
Oh, how grateful I am to you!

VIOLETTA
Leave me. We may never see each other again.
(They embrace.)

VIOLETTA, GERMONT
May you be happy.

VIOLETTA
Goodbye!

GERMONT
Goodbye!

VIOLETTA
Let him know the sacrifice...

GERMONT
Yes.

VIOLETTA
...which I made for love...
...for the very last breath of life.
Goodbye!

GERMONT
Goodbye!

VIOLETTA
...for the very last breath of life.
Goodbye!

VIOLETTA, GERMONT
May you be happy...goodbye!
(Germont goes out through the garden door.)

VIOLETTA
Give me strength, oh Heaven!
(She sits down and writes, then rings for the servant.
Annina enters.)

ANNINA
You rang for me?

VIOLETTA
Yes, please deliver this letter yourself.
(Annina reads the address, then looks up in surprise.)
Silence - go immediately.
(Annina goes out.)
And now to write to him.
What can I say? Who will give me courage?
(She writes, then seals the letter.)

ALFREDO (entering)
What are you doing?

VIOLETTA (concealing the letter)
Nothing.

ALFREDO
You were writing?

VIOLETTA
Yes - no -

ALFREDO
But what confusion! To whom were you writing?

VIOLETTA
To you -

ALFREDO
Give me the letter.

VIOLETTA
No, not now.

ALFREDO
Forgive me - I am concerned about -

VIOLETTA
What has happened?

ALFREDO
My father was here.

VIOLETTA
Did you see him?

ALFREDO
Ah, no. He left a stern letter for me.
But I'm expecting him. He'll love you at first sight.

VIOLETTA
He must not find me here.
Let me go away - you calm him -
I'll throw myself at his feet - then
he'll not want to separate us. We shall be happy -
because you love me, you love me
Alfredo, you love me, don't you?

ALFREDO
So much! Why are you weeping?

VIOLETTA
I needed tears -
now I feel better -
See? I am smiling at you - see?
I shall always be here, near you, among the flowers.
Love me, Alfredo, love me as much as I love you.
Goodbye!
(She runs out into the garden.)

ALFREDO
Ah, this dear one lives only for my love!

(He sits down, reads a book for a moment. Then he
stands up and goes to look at the clock on the mantel.)
It is late: perhaps today
my father will not come.

GIUSEPPE (entering in haste)
Madam has left.
A carriage was waiting for her;
they are on their way to Paris already.
Annina left too, before Madam.

ALFREDO
I know it - be calm.

GIUSEPPE
(What does that mean?)

ALFREDO
Perhaps she has gone
to hasten the loss of all she owns.
But Annina will prevent that.

MESSENGER
Signor Germont?

ALFREDO
I am he.

MESSENGER
A lady
in a carriage, not far down the road,
gave me this letter.
(He gives the letter to Alfredo, who tips him.)

ALFREDO
From Violetta! Why am I so upset?
Perhaps she wants me to join her -
I am trembling. Oh, Heaven! Courage!
(He opens the letter and reads:)
"Alfredo, by the time you receive this letter -"
(thunderstruck, he cries out:)
Ah!
(Turning, he sees his father, and throws himself into his
arms.)
Father!

GERMONT
My son!
Oh, how you are suffering! Ah, dry your tears -
be once again your father's pride.
(In despair, Alfredo sits down at the table, his head in
his hands.)
The sea, the hills of Provence,
who effaced them from your heart?
What destiny took you away
from the sunny land of your birth?
Oh, remember in your sorrow
what joy warmed you there;
and that only there
can your soul find peace again.
God brought me here!
Ah! You cannot know
how your old father has suffered.
With you away
his house is clouded with sorrow.
But at last I have found you,
if my hope has not been in vain.
If the voice of honour is not wholly stilled in you.
But I have found you again.

God has answered my prayer!
Don't you return your father's love?

ALFREDO
(Suddenly he sees Flora's letter on the table and
exclaims:)
Ah! She is at the party! Let me fly
to take revenge for this offence.

GERMONT
What are you saying? Stop!
(Alfredo runs out of the house, followed by his father.)

Scene Two

A salon in Flora's home, richly furnished and brightly
lighted. A door to the rear, others on either side. To the
right, somewhat to the foreground, a gaming table
with equipment for play; left, an elaborate table with
flowers and refreshments; nearby, sofa and chairs.
(Flora, the Marquis and Dr.Grenvil enter with other
guests - all chatting.)

FLORA
Later we shall be entertained by masks:
the Viscount is in charge.
I've invited Violetta and Alfredo.

MARQUIS
Haven't you heard the news?
Violetta and Germont have separated.

DOCTOR, FLORA
Have they really?

MARQUIS
She is coming with the Baron.

DOCTOR
I saw them only yesterday - they looked happy.
(The sound of laughing voices is heard.)

FLORA
Silence - do you hear?

FLORA, DOCTOR, MARQUIS
Our friends are coming.
(Ladies disguised as gypsies enter.)

GYPSIES
We are gypsies.
come from afar;
the fortunes of all
we can read in their hands.
When we call upon the stars,
nothing is hidden from us,
and we can tell you all
what the future holds in store.
Let us see -

CHORUS I (examining Flora's palm)
You, Madam, have many rivals.

CHORUS II (examining the Marquis's palm)
Marquis, you are scarcely a model of fidelity.

FLORA (to the Marquis)
So you still play the gallant?
Fine - I'll make you pay for this.

MARQUIS
What the devil are you thinking?
It's a bare-faced lie.

FLORA
The fox may lose his brush,
but never abandons his rascality.
Take care, my dear Marquis,
or you'll be sorry, I swear.

ALL
Come, come, whatever's happened
shall be veiled by the past;
what's been has been,
think only of what's to be.
(Flora and the Marquis shake hands. Now from the
right, Gastone and other men, dressed as Spanish
matadors and picadors, enter.)

GASTONE, MATADORS
We're matadors, from Madrid,
the champions of the bullring.
We've just arrived to join in the fun
of carnival time in Paris;
if you'll hear our story to the end,
you'll know what great lovers we are.

THE OTHERS
Yes, yes, good! Tell us, tell us:
we'll hear your story with pleasure.

GASTONE, MATADORS
Listen, then.
Piquillo is a strapping young man.
A matador from Biscay:
strong of arm and fierce of eye,
he is the lord of the bullring.
He fell for an Andalusian lass,
madly in love fell he;
but the stubborn little miss
answered him this way:
"Five bulls in a single day -
I'll see you kill them all;
and if you win, when you return,
my heart and hand are yours."
"Yes, yes." said he, and off he went,
to the bullring straight away;
five bulls our conquering hero met,
and killed them all that day.

THE OTHERS
Bravo, bravo, this matador -
he showed himself such a champion,
and, in so doing,
he proved his love!

GASTONE and MATADORS
Then, amidst the applause,
he went back to his love,
and there received the longed-for prize,
wrapped in his sweetheart's arms.

THE OTHERS
It is with tests like this that matadors
sweep lovely women off their feet!

GASTONE and MATADORS
But here the thing is simpler;
it's enough for us if we can frolic.

ALL
Yes, with carefree gaiety. Now first
let's try the humour of Fortune;
we'll open the ring
to the dauntless gamblers.
(The men unmask. Some of them walk about, talking
together, while the others prepare to play. Alfredo
enters.)

ALL
Alfredo! You!

ALFREDO
Yes my friends -

FLORA
Violetta?

ALFREDO
I don't know where she is.

ALL
How nonchalant! Bravo!
Come, now we can play.
(Gastone cuts the cards. Alfredo and others place their
bets. Violetta enters, escorted by the Baron. Flora goes
forward to meet her.)

FLORA
I am so glad you have come.

VIOLETTA
I couldn't refuse your kind invitation.

FLORA
I am grateful to you, too, Baron, for coming.

BARON
Germont is here! Do you see him!

VIOLETTA
Heaven! It's true. I see him.

BARON
You will not say
one word to this Alfredo -
not one word, not one word!

VIOLETTA
(Ah, why was I so rash as to come!
Mercy, oh God!)

FLORA
(to Violetta, as she invites her to sit next to her on the
sofa)
Sit here with me, tell me -
what is this I see?
(Dr. Grenvil approaches the two women, who are
talking together in a low voice. The Marquis remains to
one side with the Baron. Gastone deals the cards while
Alfredo and various others bet. Still other guests are
talking slowly here and there about the room.)

ALFREDO
A four!

GASTONE
You win again!

ALFREDO
Unlucky in love means luck at cards.
(He places his bet and wins again.)

ALL
He wins every time!

ALFREDO
Oh, tonight I shall win.
And with the gold
I shall return happily
to the country.

FLORA
Alone?

ALFREDO
No, no, with one who was with me,
but ran away -

VIOLETTA
Oh, God!

GASTONE (to Alfredo, indicating Violetta)
Take pity on her!

BARON
(to Alfredo, making a bad job of restraining his anger)
Sir!

VIOLETTA (to the Baron)
Restrain yourself, or I shall leave you.

ALFREDO
Baron, you called me?

BARON
Your luck is so good
I'm tempted to play.

ALFREDO (ironically)
Yes? I accept your challenge.

VIOLETTA
What will happen? I shall die!
Take pity, dear God, take pity on me!

BARON (betting)
A hundred louis on the right.

ALFREDO (betting)
On the left - a hundred.

GASTONE
Ace - jack - you win!

BARON
Double?

ALFREDO
Good - double.

GASTONE (dealing)
Four - seven.

ALL
Again!

ALFREDO
The victory is mine after all!

CHORUS
Bravo! Really,
luck is on Alfredo's side!

FLORA
The Baron has paid
for the holiday, I see.

ALFREDO
Continue if you wish.

A SERVANT
Dinner is served.

FLORA
Let us go.

CHORUS (moving towards the table)
Let us go.

VIOLETTA
(What will happen? I shall die? Take pity, dear
God, take pity on me!)

ALFREDO (aside, to the Baron)
If you wish to continue -

BARON
We cannot, for the moment;
we'll play again, later.

ALFREDO
At any game you like.

BARON
Let us follow our friends; later -

ALFREDO
As you wish - let's go.

BARON
Let's go.
(All go out through the centre door; for a moment the
scene is deserted. Then Violetta returns, distressed.)

VIOLETTA
I invited him to follow me.
Will he come? Will he listen to me?
He will come, for his bitter hatred
will bring him, if not my voice.

ALFREDO
You called me? What do you want?

VIOLETTA
Please leave here at once.
You are in danger -

ALFREDO
Ah, I understand! Enough -
do you think I am such a coward?

VIOLETTA
Ah, no, no, never -

ALFREDO
What are you afraid of?

VIOLETTA
I am afraid of the Baron.

ALFREDO
There is bad blood between us -
if he falls into my hands,
a single blow will take away
your lover and your protector.
Would such a misfortune frighten you?

VIOLETTA
But if he should kill you?
That is the only misfortune
which I fear - for it would kill me too!

ALFREDO
My death! What do you care?

VIOLETTA
Ah, leave, leave this minute!

ALFREDO
I shall leave, but first swear
that you will follow me
wherever I go.

VIOLETTA
Ah, no, never.

ALFREDO
No! Never?

VIOLETTA
Go wretched man!
Forget a name which is dishonoured.

Go - leave me this instant -
I took a sacred oath to leave you.

ALFREDO
But who - who could ask it of you?

VIOLETTA
Someone who had full right.

ALFREDO
Was it Douphol?

VIOLETTA
Yes.

ALFREDO
You love him, then?

VIOLETTA
Well - I love him, yes.

ALFREDO
(In a blind fury he runs to the door and calls out.)
Everyone - come here!
(All the guests, bewildered, return to the salon.)

ALL
You called us? What do you want?

ALFREDO
(pointing to Violetta, who is leaning against the table
in utter humiliation)
You know this woman?

ALL
Who? Violetta?

ALFREDO
You don't know what she has done?

VIOLETTA
Ah, be silent.

ALL
No.

ALFREDO
This woman was about to lose
all she owns for love of me;
while I, blinded, vile, wretched,
was capable of accepting everything.
But there is still time! I wish
to cleanse myself of such a stain.
I have called you here as witnesses
that I have paid her all I owe.
(With furious contempt, he throws a purse down at
Violetta's feet. Violetta faints in the arms of Flora. As
Alfredo is speaking the last few words, his father
enters.)

ALL
Oh, what a terrible thing you have done!
You have killed a sensitive heart!
Ignoble man, to insult a woman so,
leave this house at once, you fill us with horror!
Go, go, you fill us with horror!
Ignoble man, to insult a woman, etc.

GERMONT
Whoever, even in anger, offends a woman
exposes himself to the contempt of all.

Where is my son? I cannot find him,
for in you I no longer see Alfredo.

ALFREDO
Ah, yes - what have I done? I am horrified.
Maddening jealousy, disillusioned love
torture my heart - I have lost my reason.
She can never forgive me now,
I tried to flee from her - I couldn't!
I came here, spurred on by anger!
Now that I have vented my fury,
I am sick with remorse - oh, wretched man!

ALL (to Violetta)
Ah, how you suffer! But take heart,
here, each of us suffers for your sorrow;
you are here among dear friends;
dry the tears which bathe your face.

GERMONT (to himself)
I alone among these people know
what virtue there is in this poor woman's heart.
I know she loves him, is faithful to him,
and yet I must keep a pitiless silence!

BARON (in a low voice, to Alfredo)
The atrocious insult to this woman
has shocked us all, but such an outrage
shall not go unavenged. I will show you
that I am well able to break your pride.

ALFREDO (to himself)
Alas, what have I done, etc.
I am horrified she can never forgive me now.

VIOLETTA (regaining consciousness)
Alfredo, Alfredo you cannot understand
fully the love I have in my heart;
you do not know that even at the risk
of your disdain I have put it to the test!

ALL (to Violetta)
How you suffer! But take heart!

ALFREDO
Alas, what have I done? I am horrified!

VIOLETTA
But the day will come when you will know -
You will admit how much I loved you.
May God save you, then, from remorse,
I shall be dead, but I shall love you still.

ALFREDO
Alas, what have I done? I am horrified!

BARON
I will show you that I am well able
to break your pride.

GERMONT
I know she loves him, is faithful to him,
and yet I must keep a pitiless silence!

ALL
How you suffer! Take heart! etc.
(Germont leads his son away with him; the Baron
follows him. Flora and the Doctor accompany Violetta
to her room. The others go out.)

Contents: Roles; Act One; Act Two; Act Three