La Traviata- Synopsis. The events take place in and around Paris during the 1840s. Act I Violetta's House A party is taking place at the house of Violetta Valery, a beautiful Parisian demimondaine. Gastone, a nobleman, arrives and presents his friend, Alfredo Germont, telling Violetta that Alfredo has long been a silent admirer and had called daily during her illness. Baron Douphol, Violetta.