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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 |