The old Germont, Alfredo's father, has also returned to Violetta "to embrace her as if she were his daughter", as he promised her at their first meeting. Alfredo, however, bitterly reproaches him for what he has done to her by requiring such a sacrifice from her. His father experiences deep remorse and, to his horror, realizes that Violetta is on her deathbed. Violetta summons Alfredo at her side and gives him the portrait "of her long-gone days", pleading with him to keep it in memory of her. Alfredo, in his anguish, cannot believe that she is actually dying, and claims that God couldn't have guided him to her to experience such cruel and bitter grief. Violetta proceeds, informing him that it is her wish for him to marry a chaste girl who gives her heart to him, and to present her with the portrait "of the one who in Heaven, among the angels, shall pray for both of them." Then, in her sudden delirium she claims that all her physical pain has suddenly vanished, only to collapse dead in Alfredo's arms only a moment later.
Enjoy this last scene in the passionate, deeply involved interpretations granted by Romanian soprano Virginia Zeani and Italian tenor Bruno Prevedi.
Giuseppe Verdi: LA TRAVIATA
Violetta Valéry Virginia Zeani
Alfredo Germont Bruno Prevedi
Giorgio Germont Robert Merrill
Flora Bervoix Marcia Baldwin
Gastone Charles Anthony
Baron Douphol Ron Bottcher
Marquis D'Obigny Gene Boucher
Dr Grenvil Louis Sgarro
Annina Karan Armstrong
Chorus&Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera House,
Conductor: Georges Prêtre
New York (November 12th 1966)
