“Cavalleria rusticana” by Pietro Mascagni libretto (English)

Roles

Santuzza, a peasant girl - soprano
Turiddu, a young villager recently returned from the army - tenor
Lucia, his mother - contralto
Alfio, the village teamster - baritone
Lola, his wife - mezzo-soprano

The scene represents a square in a village in Sicily. At the back, on the right, a church with a moveable door. On the left, an inn and the house of Mother Lucia. It is Easter.
The curtain is down.

TURIDDU
O Lola! like the snow, pure in thy whiteness!
Redder than cherries glow thy lips in brightness!
Happy the lover brave, when by thy kisses
Thou shalt his soul enslave in fondest blisses!
Though at thy door dark blood be warningly lying,
Ne'er shall it hinder me, when to thee flying.
Death straight to heaven in its arms may enfold me;
Ne'er shall I enter there happy, till I behold thee!

SCENE FIRST
Chorus

WOMEN (within)
Oranges blossoming, myrtle and jessamine
Mingle their fragrance with incense of flowers.
Morning now murmuring, hearts that were slumbering
Wake with the dawning with songs, as do ours

MEN (within)
To the harvest field, 'mid ears bright and golden,
The quick-flying spindles send out their humming;
We weary, while from our labors are holden,
To Thee, Light of Heaven, are humbly coming!
O glorious Son of Salvation, heaven adorning!
As the eagles home flying, hail we this morning!
(The chorus comes on the stage)

WOMEN
Vain are all earthly employments!
To heaven and its enjoyments!
The Virgin and our dear Lord!

SCENE SECOND
Santuzza and Lucia

SANTUZZA (entering)
Tell me, mother Lucia—

LUCIA (surprised)
Is it you? What would you?

SANTUZZA
Turiddu is here?

LUCIA
And why do you come here
To seek my son?

SANTUZZA
Only that I may ask you—
Humbly I beg your pardon—where I may find him

LUCIA
I know not, I know not; bring me no trouble

SANTUZZA
Mother Lucia! I supplicate you, weeping;
Kindly, as the Saviour to a Magdalen,
Tell me, for mercy's sake, where is Turiddu?

LUCIA
He is gone for the wine to Francofonte

SANTUZZA
No! He was seen last night in the village

LUCIA
What say you! Is he then again at home?
(Going toward the door of her house)
Enter!

SANTUZZA
Into your house I cannot enter!
I am condemned!

LUCIA
And what of him
Have you now to tell me?

SANTUZZA
Alas! this thorn in my bosom!

SCENE THIRD
Alfio, Lucia, Santuzza and Chorus

ALFIO
With my horses bounding,
Wagon wheels resounding.
Cracking my whiplash—Ehi la!
Cold winds blowing steadily,
Rain and snow falling readily!
I care for nothing! Ehi la!

CHORUS
Happy is his calling,
Richest treasures hauling,
As he goes here and there

ALFIO
Me, Lola is awaiting,
All other lovers hating,
To her I am most dear!
Let the wind blow fearfully,
Lola watches tearfully,
'Tis Easter, and I'm here!

CHORUS
Happy is his calling,
Richest treasures hauling,
As he goes here and there

LUCIA
You are blest, Master Alfio,
That you are always so full of joy

ALFIO
Mother Lucia,
Have you not more of that lovely old wine?

LUCIA
Perhaps; Turiddu has gone away to buy some

ALFIO
He's always here! I saw him but this morning;
And very near my dwelling!

LUCIA (surprised)
What!

SANTUZZA (quickly)
Be silent!
(Those in the church are heard singing Alleluia)

ALFIO
I will not enter. Go ye both into church
(He goes out)

CHORUS (within the church)
Regina coeli, laetare—Alleluia!
Quia, quem meruisti portare—Alleluia!
Resurrexit sicut dixit—Alleluia!

CHORUS (in the square)
We rejoice that our Saviour is living!
He all-glorious arose from the dead;
Joys of heaven the Lord to us giving,
All the sorrows of darkness are fled!
(The chorus goes out slowly)

SCENE FOURTH
Lucia and Santuzza

LUCIA
And why did you thus make the sign of silence?

SANTUZZA
You well know, dearest mother, when he went as a soldier,
Turiddu had sworn to Lola eternal faith and love.
Returned, he found her married; and with new affection
Would he put out the fire burning still in his bosom.
I love him, he loves me. That evil one, for all my rightful pleasure,
Of her own husband forgetful, burns now with jealousy.
Me she has outraged! Despoiled of my honor I live on—
Lola and Turiddu loving!—and I weeping!

LUCIA
Wretched am I that such things should be told me
On this most holy morning

SANTUZZA
I am condemned!
Go you, O mother, and implore our dear Saviour;
And to him pray for me. Here, to Turiddu
Will I again make humble supplication

LUCIA (going toward the church)
And be thou our helper! Holy Maria!
(She goes out)

SCENE FIFTH
Santuzza and Turiddu

TURIDDU
You here, Santuzza?

SANTUZZA
You I was awaiting

TURIDDU
And Easter and church you are neglecting?

SANTUZZA
I can not go.
I must speak with you!

TURIDDU
I seek my mother

SANTUZZA
I must speak with you!

TURIDDU
Not here! not here!

SANTUZZA
Where have you been?

TURIDDU
Why do you ask me?
At Francofonte

SANTUZZA
No! 'Tis not true!

TURIDDU
Santuzza, trust in me!

SANTUZZA
No! You are lying;
I saw you turning here into this street.
And this morning at dawn they discovered you
Coming from Lola

TURIDDU
Ah! you were spying!

SANTUZZA
No! I swear to you. To us it has been told
By Master Alfio

TURIDDU
Thus you return the love I gave you?
You wish him to kill me?

SANTUZZA
Ah! such a fate do not mention

TURIDDU
Then you must leave me! In vain do you endeavor
My righteous anger thus to subdue!

SANTUZZA
Ah, yes! you love her!

TURIDDU
No!

SANTUZZA
And beautiful
Is Lola

TURIDDU
Silence! I love her not

SANTUZZA
You love her!
Oh! curses on her!

TURIDDU
Santuzza!

SANTUZZA
That most
Vile and wretched woman has torn thee from me!

TURIDDU
Beware, Santuzza! I am no slave
to thy vain jealousy!

SANTUZZA
Beat me! insult me! I love and pardon;
But all too heavy is my deep anguish!

SCENE SIXTH
Lola and THE OTHERS

LOLA (behind the scene)
Dearest yellow flower!
Thousands may grow
In heaven's lovely bower;
But, one like mine to show,
It has no power. (entering)
Oh! Turiddu! Have you seen Alfio? (sarcastically)

TURIDDU
I came
But this moment. I have not. (embarrassed)

LOLA
He is delayed,
No doubt, at the blacksmith's; but I must not tarry.
And you, I see, in the street do your praying! (ironically)

TURIDDU
Santuzza was just saying—

SANTUZZA (sadly)
I was saying
That 'tis Easter, and the Saviour to-day sees all things!

LOLA (sarcastically)
Go you not to the altar?

SANTUZZA (sadly)
I? No! I dare not go.
Who knows not that I am a sinner!

LOLA
I may thank my dear Saviour, I am His handmaid

SANTUZZA (ironically)
Indeed!—well done!—my Lola!

TURIDDU (to Lola)
We'll leave her.
Here is no place for us

LOLA (ironically)
Oh! you may stay here!

SANTUZZA
Yes, stay here!
Stay here! I have something to tell you!

LOLA (still ironically)
And with help of the Saviour, I will now go in
(She goes into church)

SCENE SEVENTH
Santuzza and Turiddu

TURIDDU (irate)
Ah! you see now, what you have spoken!

SANTUZZA
What you wished, and it was well!

TURIDDU (advancing)
By heaven!

SANTUZZA
Stab in my bosom!

TURIDDU (drawing back)
No!

SANTUZZA (beseechingly)
Turiddu! O hear me!

TURIDDU
Go!

SANTUZZA
No, no, Turiddu! Come, love me once more!
Do not abandon me! Ah! do not fly!

TURIDDU
Why do you follow me? Why to the door
E'en of the church you are seeking to spy?

SANTUZZA
I, thy Santuzza, weeping, implore
Take my poor heart to thine own once more

TURIDDU
Vain is your weeping; in vain you repent
After your outrage; ne'er will I relent

SANTUZZA (threatening)
Beware!

TURIDDU (with force)
Your anger will not bring me!
(He throws her on the ground and rushes into the church)

SANTUZZA (in greatest fury)
On thee come Evil Easter, thou false swearer!

SCENE EIGHTH
Santuzza and Alfio

SANTUZZA
Oh! the dear Saviour has sent you, Master Alfio!

ALFIO
At what point is the service?

SANTUZZA
It is now late;
But for you—Lola has just gone with Turiddu!

ALFIO
What have you spoken?

SANTUZZA
That while you were braving
The wind and weather, to earn your honest living,
Lola has turned your home into a brothel!

ALFIO
Ah! in the name of heaven, Santa! What say you!

SANTUZZA
The truth—Turiddu betrayed me, despoiled me of honor;
And your bad wife has taken him from me

ALFIO (threatening.)
If you are lying, I will tear out your heart

SANTUZZA
My lips were never used to lying. No, no, no, they are not liars!
By all my infamy! By my deepest sorrow!—
The saddest verity is before you! Ah, me!

ALFIO (after a pause.)
Dear Mistress Santa, then I to you am grateful

SANTUZZA
'Twas wicked in me to have spoken thus!

ALFIO
No! you are innocent, and I forgiving;
To utter hate my love has found a way;
But they are infamous, unfit for living!
And blood I'll have before the close of day!
(They go out)

SCENE NINTH
All come out of church, Lucia crosses the scene and enters her house.
Lola, Turiddu and Chorus

CHORUS OF MEN
Now homeward, companions, where we expect to see
Our wives and sweethearts, we'll go!
Let wildest revel lead us up to ecstasy!
Quickly let the wine flow!
(The chorus starts to go away)

TURIDDU (to Lola, who is going)
Well, Mistress Lola, are you going away
Without even saying "good-bye?"

LOLA
I'm going home;
I have not yet seen my husband!

TURIDDU
O never mind him! He will come here;
(To the chorus)
And, meanwhile, friends, approach!
A drink before I leave you!
(They all come to the table and take drinking cups)

TURIDDU
See the wine, as foaming whitely
In the glass it sparkles lightly,
Like a lover smiling brightly,
Gently whisp'ring words that bless!
See the honest cup so cheery!
It refreshes us when weary!
Drives away all humors dreary!
Gives ecstatic happiness!

CHORUS
See the wine, as foaming whitely
(They repeat the verse.)

TURIDDU (to Lola)
To your true lovers! (drinks.)

LOLA (to Turiddu)
To your most happy fortune! (drinks)

TURIDDU
We'll drink!

CHORUS
Let us keep up the contest!

SCENE TENTH
Alfio and THE OTHERS

ALFIO
To all I give my greeting!

CHORUS
Master Alfio, we hail you!

TURIDDU
You are welcome! and with us must be drinking!
(he fills a glass)
Look now, the cup I fill you!

ALFIO (pushing away his arm and the glass)
Thanks, sir! Your cup of wine is not accepted!
In me it would be poison, my heart's blood chilling!

TURIDDU (throwing away the wine backward)
Then, at your pleasure!

LOLA
Ah me! what will this bring!

SOME WOMEN (to Lola)
Dear Mistress Lola! let's go away from here!
(All the women go out, taking Lola)

TURIDDU
Have you, sir, something to tell me?

ALFIO
I? Nothing

TURIDDU
Well then, sir,
I am quite at your service

ALFIO
This moment?

TURIDDU
This moment!
(Alfio and Turiddu embrace. Turiddu bites Alfio's right ear)

ALFIO
Master Turiddu, you have bitten quite firmly,
And we will both endeavor to do likewise

TURIDDU
Master Alfio, I know that the fault is my own;

To you I swear, in the name of heaven,
That like a dog I should be slaughtered.
But ... if I live not ... she will be abandoned,...
My own poor Santa! Would I had been faithful! (with fury)
But I know how to put my knife in your heart!

ALFIO (coldly)
Well then, sir, do as it may suit your pleasure.
I will await you without, beyond the orchard
(He goes out)

SCENE ELEVENTH
Lucia and THE OTHERS, except Alfio

TURIDDU
Mother,... that old wine ... is very heady,... and surely
This day ... many a glass ... have I been drinking.
I'll go out for a moment;
But, ere I leave you,... give me your blessing,
As on that morning ... I, a soldier, left you....
And also,... mother,... remember;...
Should I ... return not,... you will be
A mother to Santa,... whom I have vainly promised
To conduct to the altar!

LUCIA
Why speak you thus to me, my loving son?

TURIDDU (with indifference)
O nothing! The wine has it to me suggested!
Surely the wine it must be. Pray you to heaven
For me. A kiss, my dearest mother! Another! Farewell!
(He embraces her and goes out quickly)

SCENE TWELFTH
Lucia, Santuzza and THE OTHERS

LUCIA (desperate, rushing toward the back of the stage)
Turiddu! what said you?
(Going further back and calling in desperation)
Turiddu! Turiddu! Ah!—
(Enter Santuzza)
Santuzza!

SANTUZZA
O dearest mother!
(A confused murmur is heard in the distance)
(A woman screams)

They have murdered Master Turiddu!
(Some of the women enter, and one of them repeats the cry desperately. All come on the stage. SANTUZZA falls senseless. LUCIA swoons, and is surrounded by all the women)

The curtain falls quickly.

libretto by Willard G. Day