| Our story begins in Paris, 1875. At the opera, Armand
admits to Gaston that he’s in love with Camille.
Gaston warns him that she is the Duke’s courtesan
who is very ill; he should be very careful [At
The Opera].
At intermission, Camille invites them to a soiree that
evening. As the guests begin to arrive at Camille’s
apartment [The Party Is About To Begin], the Baron de
Varville vies for Camille’s attention, but she
is much more interested in Gaston and Armand. As the
party reaches its height, Gaston sings a song to honor
her [Let’s Drink A Toast To Life]. During the merriment
Camille collapses in agony; Gaston carries her into her
boudoir then hurries back to the party. Seeing that she
is alone, Armand seizes his opportunity and confesses
his undying love [Mon Coeur D’ Amour]. Camille
tries to turn him away, but he refuses to leave until
she agrees to see him again. She finally acquiesces.
Although she is leery, she finds herself secretly optimistic
[If This Is Love]. As the weeks pass, the Parisians stroll
along the Champs Elyseé and comment on the budding
relationship [Everyone’s Out On The Champs Elyseé].
For the first time in her life, Camille finds herself
truly in love and confides in Armand her plans to leave
her life as a courtesan and run away with him to the
country [In Your Arms]. The next morning, Camille hurries
Armand out the door before he is caught by her benefactor,
the Duke. He scoots out unnoticed, but his jealousies
get the best of him when hour after hour he watches lover
after lover arrive. Armand leaves in a rage. When the
Baron de Varville arrives, Camille asks him for 15,000
francs to pay off her creditors. Before he can agree,
Prudence arrives with a biting letter from Armand calling
off their relationship. Camille is devastated, but Varville
uses this opportunity and with the aid of Prudence tries
again to woo her [The Dynamic Baron Varville]. Resigned,
Camille leaves with him. Meanwhile, Nichette convinces
Armand to ask Camille back. She sends Julie to fetch
her. When Camille returns, Armand begs forgiveness as
Varville waits outside. When she does not return, the
Baron sends an envelope with 15,000 francs hoping one
last time to win her. Camille uses the money to pay off
her creditors and leaves for the country with Armand.
During their respite, Camille’s health greatly
improves [The Simple Life], and unbeknownst to Camille,
Armand decides to turn over his inheritance to her. While
he is in Paris to solidify the paperwork, his father
calls on Camille. He begs her to leave his son [You
Will Love Again]. When she refuses, he becomes angered and
threatens her. Camille has no choice but to back down.
With a heavy heart, she agrees to his demands [Come
To Me In Dreams]. Duval leaves convinced of his success.
Devastated, Camille sits at her desk and writes her farewell
letter [For A Moment]. She is startled when Armand returns
before she is finished. With the inheritance papers signed,
he is full of optimism about their future [With
Your Heart In Mine]. He admits that his father is angered
by his affairs and will be coming to the country that
evening to discuss it. As Armand waits for his father,
Camille secretly returns to Paris. Once Camille is gone,
Julie gives Armand the farewell note. Completely devastated,
he breaks down. One month later in Paris, as the courtesans
gather for a party [The Courtesan’s Creed], Camille
arrives on the arm of the Baron. It is obvious that her
health is deteriorating. To everyone’s surprise,
Armand arrives. At the first opportunity, he pulls Camille
aside and begs for her to come back to him; she refuses.
In a fit of rage, he throws her to the ground physically
and verbally assaulting her. As is his duty, Varville
challenges Armand to a duel [The Duel]. Armand shoots
him and, with the aid of Gaston, flees Paris before he
is caught by the gendarmes. Now sick and without a benefactor,
Camille’s health grows increasingly worse. When
Nichette and Gustave come to check on her, they find
her near death. Sensing their concern, Julie confides
in Gustave what she has witnessed between Armand’s
father and Camille. Gustave writes to Armand informing
him these new details and of Camille’s dire condition.
While alone, Camille pines for Armand [Please
Let Me See Him Again]. Julie comforts Camille reassuring her
that Armand will come back [Rest Your Head
And Sleep].
Upon receiving the letter, Armand and Gaston race back
to Paris. As she waits for his return, [Please
Let Me See Him Again II] she is seized with pain and dies. Armand
rushes in moments too late. We weep as he holds her lifeless
body in his arms [Come To Me In Dreams/Finale]. |
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