8
Verdi,
La traviata
,
Act One
La traviata
(1853)
begins with Verdi’s most exquisite prelude. The first act finds the courte-
san Violetta Valéry giving a party at her Paris home. There she meets Alfredo Germont, an
inexperienced young man who has loved her from afar. At the urging of his friend Gastone,
he leads a toast when Violetta says it would please her. Feeling faint, she sends her guests
off to dance, but Alfredo remains behind. After he declares his love, Violetta gives him a
flower and tells him to return when it has faded. Alone, she wonders whether Alfredo could
indeed offer her true love. She dismisses the idea and, even when she hears his voice out-
side her window, she vows to live only for pleasure.
Salotto in casa di Violetta.
The drawing room in Violetta’s home.
CORO I
CHORUS I
Dell’invito trascorsa è già l’ora.
You were invited for an earlier hour.
Voi tardaste.
You’ve come late.
CORO II
CHORUS II
Giocammo da Flora.
We were playing cards at Flora’s,
e giocando quell’ore volar.
and the time passed quickly.
VIOLETTA
VIOLETTA
Flora, amici, la notte che resta
Flora, my friends, the rest of the evening
d’altre gioie qui fate brillar.
will be livelier because you’re here.
Fra le tazze è più viva la festa.
It’s more fun with good food and drink.
FLORA, MARCHESE
FLORA, MARQUIS
E goder voi potrete?
And can you enjoy yourself?
VIOLETTA
VIOLETTA
Lo voglio; al piacer m’affido, ed io soglio
I want to; I give myself to pleasure, since
col tal farmaco i mali sopir.
pleasure is the best medicine for my ills.
TUTTI
ALL
Sì, la vita s’addoppia al gioir.
Yes, life is doubly heightened by pleasure.
GASTONE (
entrando con Alfredo
)
GASTONE (
entering with Alfredo
)
In Alfredo Germont, o signora,
My dear madame, in Alfredo Germont
ecco un altro che molto vi onora.
I present another man who greatly admires
Pochi amici a lui simili sono.
you. Few friends are as fine as he.
VIOLETTA
VIOLETTA
Mio Visconte, mercè di tal dono.
My dear Viscount, thank you for this gift.
MARCHESE
MARQUIS
Caro Alfredo.
My dear Alfredo.
ALFREDO
ALFREDO
Marchese.
Marquis.
NOTES AND TRANSLATIONS
