Violetta's House A party is taking place at the house of Violetta

Valery, a beautiful Parisian demimondaine. Gastone, a nobleman,

arrives and presents his friend, Alfredo Germont, telling Violetta
that Alfredo has long been a silent admirer and had called daily
during her illness. Baron Douphol, Violetta’s current protector, is
angered by the conversation and refuses Gastone’s invitation to
propose a toast. Alfredo accepts the invitation instead and sings an
impassioned tribute to beauty and love. As the others go into
another room to dance, Violetta suffers a fainting spell. Alfredo
stays behind and confesses that he has been in love with her for a
year. Violetta offers him friendship rather than love and gives him a
flower, asking him to return when it has withered. Alfredo is
overjoyed and bids her goodnight. When her guests leave, Violetta
reflects on Alfredo’s proffered love, but finally decides that she
must remain as she is, forever free to pass from pleasure to
pleasure.
 Scene i
A country house near Paris Violetta is living with Alfredo in the
country, having abandoned her life of ease and luxury in town.
Annina, Violetta’s maid and confidante, enters and tells Alfredo
that she has been away to make arrangements to sell Violetta’s
belongings in order to pay their debts. Alfredo, suddenly
understanding what Violetta has sacrificed in order to live with
him, leaves for Paris, determined to settle matters at his own
cost. Violetta arrives and finds an invitation to a party at her
friend Flora's that evening. She has no intention of going back
to her former life and decides to stay at home. A visitor is
announced. Giorgio Germont, Alfredo’s father enters and
declares that keeping Violetta as his mistress is ruining Alfredo.
When Germont comments on the luxury of the country retreat,
Violetta shows him the letters that have been prepared for the
 sale of all her possessions. He asks her to renounce Alfredo,
explaining that the liaison threatens the engagement of
Alfredo's younger sister. Germont is insistent, and Violetta
finally surrenders and agrees to leave Alfredo forever. As
Violetta sits down to write her farewell note, Alfredo enters. Not
realizing that his father is at the house, he tells Violetta that
Germont had written him a severe letter, but it does not disturb
him for he is certain that Germont will approve of Violetta as
soon as he sees her. Pretending to leave the house so as not to
be present during the meeting between Alfredo and his father,
who has been waiting in the garden, Violetta goes out. A
messenger enters with her farewell note. Alfredo is stricken
with grief. His father tries to console him and persuade him to
return to his family, but Alfredo refuses. Finding Flora's
invitation, he determines to go to the party and confront
Violetta.
 Scene ii
Flora's House Alfredo arrives at Flora's house as the guests begin to
gamble. Violetta enters escorted by Baron Douphol. Alfredo is enjoying
great success gambling, and explains that he who is unlucky in love is
lucky in cards. The Baron, incensed by Alfredo’s insolence, challenges
him to a game. Alfredo accepts and the Baron loses a small fortune to
him. As the others go in for dinner, Violetta remains behind with
Alfredo. She entreats him to leave lest the Baron challenge him to a
duel. Alfredo says that he will leave only if she accompanies him.
Unable to reveal the real grounds for her departure, Violetta declares
that she is in love with the Baron. Alfredo, in a fit of jealous rage, calls
in all the guests, denounces his former love and hurls his winnings at
her feet, calling upon the guests to witness that he has paid Violetta in
full. Germont enters in time to witness Alfredo’s rash behavior and
joins the others in rebuking him for his conduct. Alfredo, realizing the
lengths to which his jealousy has carried him, is contrite but knows
 that he is helpless to make amends. The Baron tells Alfredo that he
must answer for the insult on the field of honor.

Act 3
Violetta's House Violetta’s illness has brought her to the point
of death. Her physician, Dr. Grenvil, examines her and tells
Annina that her mistress has but a few hours to live. Alone,
Violetta rereads a letter from Germont saying that Alfredo has
gone abroad after wounding the Baron in their duel. He has
been made aware of Violetta's great sacrifice and is now
returning to beg her forgiveness. Alfredo arrives. The lovers are
united at last, but it is too late. Germont arrives only to see
Violetta, comforted by the presence of Alfredo, the man she has
loved so tragically, die in his son's arms.