Act I. A salon in the house of _Violetta_. In the back scene is a

door, which opens into another salon. There are also side doors. On the left is a fireplace, over which is a mirror. In the centre of the apartment is a dining-table, elegantly laid. _Violetta_, seated on a couch, is conversing with _Dr. Grenvil_ and some friends. Others are receiving the guests who arrive, among whom are _Baron Douphol_ and _Flora_ on the arm of the _Marquis_.

The opera opens with a brisk ensemble. _Violetta_ is a courtesan (_traviata_). Her house is the scene of a revel. Early in the festivities _Gaston_, who has come in with _Alfred_, informs _Violetta_ that his friend is seriously in love with her. She treats the matter with outward levity, but it is apparent that she is touched by _Alfred's_ devotion. Already, too, in this scene, there are slight indications, more emphasized as the opera progresses, that consumption has undermined _Violetta's_ health.

First in the order of solos in this act is a spirited drinking song for _Alfred_, which is repeated by _Violetta_. After each measure the chorus joins in. This is the "Libiamo ne' lieti calici" (Let us quaff from the wine cup o'erflowing).

[Music: Libiamo, libiamo ne' lieti calici]

Music is heard from an adjoining salon, toward which the guests proceed. _Violetta_ is about to follow, but is seized with a coughing-spell and sinks upon a lounge to recover. _Alfred_ has remained behind. She asks him why he has not joined the others. He protests his love for her. At first taking his words in banter, she becomes more serious, as she begins to realize the depth of his affection for her. How long has he loved her? A year, he answers. "Un dì felice, eterea" (One day a rapture ethereal), he sings.

In this the words, "Di quell'amor ch'è palpito" (Ah, 'tis with love that palpitates) are set to a phrase which _Violetta_ repeats in the famous "Ah, fors'è lui," just as she has previously repeated the drinking song.

Verdi thus seems to intend to indicate in his score the effect upon her of _Alfred's_ genuine affection. She repeated his drinking song. Now she repeats, like an echo of heartbeats, his tribute to a love of which she is the object.

It is when _Alfred_ and the other guests have retired that _Violetta_, lost in contemplation, her heart touched for the first time, sings "Ah fors'è lui che l'anima" (For him, perchance, my longing soul).

[Music: Ah, fors'è lui che l'anima solinga ne' tumulti, solinga ne' tumulti]

Then she repeats, in the nature of a refrain, the measures already sung by _Alfred_. Suddenly she changes, as if there were no hope of lasting love for woman of her character, and dashes into the brilliant "Sempre libera degg'io folleggiare di gioja in gioja" (Ever free shall I still hasten madly on from pleasure to pleasure).

[Music: Sempre libera degg'io folleggiare]

With this solo the act closes.