Act I

At a glittering party in the home of celebrated courtesan Violetta Valery, guests discuss the pleasures of wine, friendship and the table as the only sure way to dispel the troubles of life. A new arrival, Gaston, presents Alfredo Germont, who has fallen in love with Violetta from afar—going so far as to visit her home daily during a recent illness. Put on the spot by Gaston’s teasing, Alfredo raises a toast to beauty and desire, which Violetta takes up and the company joins.

As the party moves off to the ballroom to dance, Violetta falls behind, pale and coughing. She assures her guests that she is fine and will recover soon, sending them on ahead while she recovers, but Alfredo remains, concerned, and in the course of the conversation confessing his love—a love that Violetta dismisses with a laugh, confessing that she could never return such devotion and urging him to find another. Nevertheless, she hands him a camelia corsage adorning her dress and agrees to see him again. 

They are interrupted by the return of the party guests, who Violetta sends home to bed. Alone, she reflects on her encounter with the earnest young man, wondering if she could truly be loved and love him in return, then laughing and reminding herself that she is free.

Act II

Alfredo and Violetta have retired from Paris society to a bucolic country estate. Alfredo is deliriously happy with their new life but chagrined when Violetta’s maid divulges that Violetta has sold her jewelry and carriage in order to subsidize their love nest. He leaves for Paris in an attempt to secure some money to assist Violetta. Meanwhile, Violetta awaits a lawyer who will draw up a will for her, leaving all of her possessions to Alfredo. Instead of the lawyer, Alfredo’s father, Germont, arrives, accusing Violetta of leading Alfredo astray and destroying the family’s reputation, endangering Alfredo’s sister’s marriage prospects. Though surprised and moved by Violetta’s nobility and love for his son, Germont nevertheless asks her to leave Alfredo, going so far as to say that men are changeable and he might not care for her forever. It is, however, the fate of Germont’s daughter that pushes Violetta to agree to renounce her love for Alfredo.

After Germont takes his leave, Violetta accepts an invitation from Gaston to attend a party in Paris and attempts to write a farewell letter to Alfredo, but Alfredo returns just as she seals it. He is troubled by an angry letter he has received from his father. He tells Violetta that his father will soon arrive, unaware that he has already convinced her to leave him. She hides her distress and takes her leave. 

Germont returns to confront his son, but before he can speak to him, Violetta’s letter arrives. Alfredo reads it and realizes that she has left him. Germont pivots and instead tries to comfort Alfredo with memories of home. Alfredo refuses to accompany his father home and instead decides to follow Violetta and denounce her.

The party at Flora’s is in full swing when Alfredo arrives and begins gambling with Gaston. Violetta begs him to go but instead, Alfredo calls all the guests to witness him publicly humiliate Violetta by throwing his winnings at her feet. As he is doing so, Germont arrives and berates his son for his boorishness and cruelty.

Act III

Months later, Violetta’s health has deteriorated precipitously. Her funds are running out. Knowing her time is growing short, Violetta sends her maid out to give half of what is left of her meagre savings to the poor and pulls out a well-worn letter from Germont, describing a duel between Gaston and Alfredo, in which Gaston was wounded, but recovering. Germont has told his son about Violetta’s sacrifice on the family’s behalf and promised that he and Alfredo will return to beg her pardon. While she hopes for this, Violetta knows she is dying and laments the foolishness of her hope. 

Later, Alfredo arrives and begs her forgiveness and pledges his love. He promises they won’t be parted and they dream of their future together, but Violetta is overcome by her illness. Alfredo is distressed and surprised, and Violetta grieves that she must die so young and suffer such sorrow. Alfredo assures her that she will live.  Germont arrives to offer comfort and beg her pardon. Violetta tries to revive, but it is too late, and she dies, speaking her lover’s name.