History of Creation

As soon as the novel La dame aux Camélias by Alexandre Dumas was published in 1848, Giuseppe Verdi showed interest in it and immediately set about to put the story to music. The final decision was made after he watched a play on the stage of one of the dramatic theatres of Paris.
Dumas has selected a poor country girl as a hero of his novel and play – many of such girls were arriving in Paris to earn their livings – but later she became a famed courtesan owing to her rich "patron". Female protagonist Marguerite Gautier is a prototype of a real person, Marie Duplessis, the real life lover of author Dumas. A lot of men were admiring her for her attractiveness and intellect, including Ferenz List, a composer and Théophile Gautier, a poet. 
La dame aux Camélias had become a matter of polemic from the very beginning, while the play, which had been rejected by the censor within four years, made a huge success…
It was extremely brave of Verdi to create an opera on this story, since "the woman who strayed" should have performed on the stage. If a hero of Marguerite Gautier already existed in a novel or drama, it was an unprecedented case for the opera. In addition, Verdi did not limit himself only by transforming the plot of a novel into the opera. On the contrary, he aggravated social drama that is confirmed by the title of the opera (La Traviata means literally The Woman Who Strayed). Italian librettist Francesco Maria Piave wrote the libretto for Verdi’s opera under the latter’s direct guidance. While working on La Traviata Verdi wrote to Cesare De Sanctis (1 June, 1851): "The plot is modern. Others may even not touch it, because of honesty, epoch and thousands of prejudices… But I am working on it with great pleasure."
Creation of La Traviata was a sign of root changes in Verdi’s opera aesthetics and building on the positions of realism. After Rigoletto, sharp and obvious theatricality was gradually replaced by violent contrasts, dramatism, improved and deep psychological characteristics. A month and a half after the first performance was held the composer wrote in the letter to Antonio Soma: "Ten years ago I would not have agreed to create Rigoletto. Now, when I feel the great monotony of our opera, I would not have started working over the plots similar to Nabucco and the Two Foscari, because they do contain interesting theatrical situations, but lack contrasts. It seems that there is only one string strained in them and nothing changes." Thus, Verdi stopped on rich polyphonic dramaturgy, which is in line with and explains the everyday diversity and difficulties.  
Instead of focusing on theatrical effects in La Traviata, the principle emphasizes is put on opening the internal drama. Therefore, La Traviata is one of the most harrowing and poetic stories.
The premiere of La Traviata was held on March 6, 1853 at the Venice Teatro La Fenice. Unfortunately, it was utterly unsuccessful and the premiere practically failed. The next day Verdi wrote to his friend Emanuele Muzio: "La Traviata last night, fiasco. Is it my fault or the fault of the singers? Time will tell."
Despite the failure, there were some people, who liked La Traviata and appreciated it. Gazzetta Musicale blamed the singers for the failure. It wrote: "La Traviata is a perfect creation of a genius, who presented Nabucco, Ernan and Rigoletto to Europe. The music of this composition expresses evolution of passions through its fascinating relief"’.
A year after the world premiere, Antonio Gallo, an admirer of Verdi's creations, staged La Traviata at the San Benedetto Opera, which made a huge success.
After getting acquainted with La Traviata, Alexander Dumas said: "After fifty years nobody will remember about my La dame aux Camélias, while Verdi has immortalized it."  
In 1855-1857 years La Traviata was staged on all opera stages of Europe and finally gained a distinguished place in the opera repertoire.

Synopsis
 
Place: Paris and its vicinity. 
Time: Beginning of the 18th century

Act I

Violetta Valéry, a famous courtesan, throws a lavish party at her Paris salon. Her admirers are celebrating her recovery from an illness. There is Alfredo Germont among the guests, who arrived from the province quite recently. He fell in love with Violetta at first sight. His feelings cause irony among the guests. At the request of the guests Alfredo sings a drinking song. From the next room, the orchestra begins to play a waltz and the guests move there to dance. Suddenly Violetta feels dizzy and asks the guests to go ahead and to leave her to rest for a while to recover. Alfredo stays with her. He asks Violetta to trust his feelings and start a new life. But Violetta jokes about Alfredo’s frank and passionate love; however deep in her heart she understands him, gives him hopes, gives a flower and makes an appointment. The guests go home.

After the guests leave, Violetta thinks of her conversation with Alfredo with great emotion. This is for the first time, when she comes across a frank, faultless feeling and a response love originates in her heart.

Act II

Violetta and Alfredo leave Paris and are living together in a peaceful country house. Violetta has fallen in love with Alfredo and she has completely abandoned her former life. Alfredo’s idyll was suspended by Annina, the maid, who tells him that Violetta is secretly selling various things to support their country lifestyle. Alfredo is shocked to learn this and leaves for Paris immediately to settle financial matters himself. Violetta looks through the correspondence. She receives an invitation from her friend, Flora, inviting her to a party in Paris. Violetta indifferently puts the letter aside. Suddenly Alfredo’s father, Giorgio Germont, comes and strongly demands that, for the sake of his family, she break off her relationship with his son. He accuses Violetta of discrediting their family, saying that their relationship is scandalous and threatens the engagement of Alfredo’s sister. Violetta is shocked. Her only joy is Alfredo’s love; Violetta has not left much to live, as she can not be cured, but she agrees to meet Giorgio Germont’s request. So, she decides to give up her happiness. She writes a farewell letter to Alfredo. Alfredo comes back; he is astonished to see Violetta sad and in tears. After she leaves, Alfredo founds her letter and falls in desperation. Giorgio Germont enters the room; he calls on his son to return to his native province, to his family, but Alfredo does not agree with him. Suddenly, Alfredo founds Flora’s message and after reading it he has no doubts that Violetta has left him forever. He determines to confront Violetta at the party. Giorgio tries to stop Alfredo, but he rushes out.

Act III 

There is a great party at Flora’s house. Alfredo is sitting at the gambling table along with other players. Violetta arrives with Baron Douphol. Flora meets them joyfully. Violetta does not enjoy the party; she strongly regrets her separation with her beloved. Alfredo tries to clear up his relationship with Violetta, but in vein. Therefore, Alfredo tries to find a reason to insult Baron. Violetta tries to thwart an unavoidable duel and save her beloved by this. Alfredo humiliates and denounces Violetta in front of the guests, and then throws his money at her for her “services”.  Giorgio reprimands Alfredo for such behavior, but does not tell him the truth.

Act IV

Violetta’s illness has worsened much. Dr. Grenvil gives her hopes but Violetta knows that her death is unavoidable. She orders her servants to give money to the poor. Alone in her room, Violetta reads a letter sent by Alfredo’s father saying he has informed Alfredo of the sacrifice Violetta made for him and his sister; and that he is sending his son to see her as quickly as possible to ask for her forgiveness. Annina rushes in the room to tell Violetta of the arrival of Alfredo. The lovers are reunited. They dream to leave Paris forever and start a new life. But it is too late; Violetta loses force. Happiness is replaced desperation. She does not want to die, because happiness is so near. Giorgio Germont enters; he regrets what he has done and makes sure that his late consent on their marriage will not help Violetta any more. Alfredo takes Violetta in his arms and shortly after, Violetta dies in his arms.