Paris, 1850. Violetta's house, a glittering party. Alfredo, a young man from the provinces, confesses he has loved her for a year. Violetta is amused: she does not believe in love. But that night, after the guests leave, for the first time she feels something real. She sings her inner battle: freedom or love? She chooses love.

They live together in the country; Violetta has sold everything to support them. Alfredo's father arrives. He does not shout or threaten — it is worse: he calmly explains that Alfredo's sister cannot marry if he stays with a courtesan. He asks her, with all the gentleness in the world, to disappear. Violetta writes Alfredo a farewell letter and leaves. Alfredo, furious, follows her to Paris and humiliates her publicly, throwing money at her: payment for her services. It is the opera's cruellest scene.

Violetta is dying, alone, penniless. Alfredo's father has written to tell her his son knows the truth and is on his way. Alfredo enters, holds her, begs forgiveness, promises a life together far from Paris. Violetta smiles, rises — and collapses. She dies in his arms.