“Cavalleria rusticana”

CHARACTERS

Santuzza (a young peasant woman) — Soprano Turiddu (a young peasant) — Tenor Lucia (his mother) — Contralto Alfio (a carter) — Baritone Lola (his wife) — Mezzo-soprano Time and Place The scene represents a village square in Sicily. At the back, on the right, a church with a practical door. On the left, the inn and Mamma Lucia's house. It is Easter Day. (The curtain is down.)

SCENE FIRST

Chorus Women (from within) The orange trees are fragrant on the green borders, the larks are singing among the flowering myrtles; it is time for everyone to murmur the tender song that makes the heart beat twice as fast. Men (from within) In the midst of the fields, among the golden ears of grain, the sound of your shuttles reaches us; weary, as we rest from our labor, we think of you, O sunny-eyed beauties. O sunny-eyed beauties, to you we hasten, as a bird flies to its call. (The chorus enters the stage) Women Let the rustic labors cease: the serene Virgin rejoices in the Savior! (The chorus crosses the stage and exits)

SCENE SECOND

Santuzza and Lucia Santuzza (entering) Tell me, Mother Lucia... Lucia (surprised) Is that you?... What do you want? Santuzza Where is Turiddu? Lucia You come all the way here to look for my son? Santuzza I only want to know, forgive me, where I may find him. Lucia I don't know, I don't know; I want no trouble! Santuzza Mother Lucia, I beg you through my tears, do as the Lord did for Magdalene; for pity's sake, tell me where Turiddu is... Lucia He has gone to Francofonte for the wine. Santuzza No!... He was seen in the village late last night... Lucia What are you saying?... He hasn't come home! (going toward the door of her house) Come in... Santuzza (desperately) I cannot enter your house... I am excommunicated! Lucia And what do you know about my son? Santuzza What a thorn I have in my heart!

SCENE THIRD

Alfio, Chorus, and the aforementioned Alfio The horse paws the ground, the bells are ringing, the whip cracks.—Hey there!— Let the icy wind blow, let the rain fall and the snow come, what do I care? Chorus Oh, what a fine trade to be a carter, going here and there! Alfio At home Lola awaits me, she loves me and consoles me, she is faithfulness itself. Let the horse paw the ground, let the bells ring, it's Easter, and I am here! Chorus Oh, what a fine trade to be a carter, going here and there! Lucia Lucky you, Compare Alfio, always so cheerful! Alfio Mother Lucia, do you still have some of that old wine? Lucia I don't know; Turiddu has gone to get some. Alfio But he's right here!—I saw him this morning near my house. Lucia (surprised) What? Santuzza (quickly) Be quiet! (the Alleluia is heard being sung from the church) Alfio I'm leaving; you others go to church. (exits) Chorus within (from the church) Regina coeli, laetare—Alleluia! Quia, quem meruisti portare—Alleluia! Resurrexit sicut dixit—Alleluia! Chorus outside (in the square) Let us sing praises, the Lord is not dead. Radiant, He has opened the tomb; let us sing praises to the risen Lord, today ascended to the glory of Heaven! (the Chorus slowly exits)

SCENE FOURTH

Lucia and Santuzza Lucia Why did you signal me to be quiet? Santuzza You know, Mother, before he went off to be a soldier, Turiddu had sworn eternal faithfulness to Lola. He returned and found her married; and with a new love he sought to extinguish the flame that burned within his heart: he loved me, I loved him. She, envious of all my happiness, forgetting her own husband, burned with jealousy... She stole him from me. Robbed of my honor, I remain: Lola and Turiddu love each other; I weep, I weep, I weep! Lucia Woe to us! What have you come to tell me on this holy day? Santuzza I am damned... Go, Mother, and implore God, and pray for me.—Turiddu will come; I want to plead with him one more time! Lucia (going toward the church) Help her, Holy Mary! (exits)

SCENE FIFTH

Santuzza and Turiddu Turiddu You here, Santuzza? Santuzza I was waiting for you here. Turiddu It's Easter; aren't you going to church? Santuzza No. I must speak to you... Turiddu I was looking for Mother. Santuzza I must speak to you... Turiddu Not here! Not here! Santuzza Where have you been? Turiddu What do you mean?... In Francofonte! Santuzza No, that's not true! Turiddu Santuzza, believe me... Santuzza No, don't lie; I saw you turn down the path. And this morning, at dawn, you were seen near Lola's door. Turiddu Ah! You've been spying on me! Santuzza No, I swear it. We were told by Compare Alfio, her husband, just now. Turiddu Is this how you repay the love I bear you? Do you want him to kill me? Santuzza Oh! Don't say that... Turiddu Then leave me; in vain you try to soothe my rightful anger with your pity. Santuzza So you love her? Turiddu No... Santuzza Lola is far more beautiful. Turiddu Be quiet, I don't love her. Santuzza You love her... Oh! Cursed woman! Turiddu Santuzza! Santuzza That wicked woman took you from me! Turiddu Take care, Santuzza; I am no slave to this foolish jealousy of yours! Santuzza Beat me, insult me; I love you and forgive you, but my anguish is too great.

SCENE SIXTH

Lola and the others Lola (from within) Flower of iris, there are a thousand beautiful angels in heaven, but as handsome as he, there is only one. (entering) Oh! Turiddu... Has Alfio passed by? (sarcastically) Turiddu I have only just arrived in the square. I don't know... (embarrassed) Lola Perhaps he stopped at the blacksmith's, but he won't be long. (ironically) And... you... are listening to the service from the square... Turiddu Santuzza was telling me... Santuzza (gloomily) I was telling him that today is Easter and the Lord sees everything! Lola (in the same manner) Aren't you coming to Mass? Santuzza (gloomily) Not I; those who know they have not sinned should go. Lola I thank the Lord and kiss the ground! Santuzza (ironically) Oh! You do well, Lola! Turiddu Let's go! Let's go! We have nothing to do here. Lola (ironically) Oh! Stay! Santuzza (to Turiddu) Yes, stay, stay; I still have to speak to you! Lola And may the Lord help you; I'm going. (enters the church)

SCENE SEVENTH

Santuzza and Turiddu Turiddu (angrily) Ah! You see what you've done...? Santuzza You wanted it; it serves you right. Turiddu (lunging at her) Ah! By God! Santuzza Tear open my breast... Turiddu (starts to leave) No! Santuzza (holding him back) Turiddu, listen! Turiddu Go! Santuzza No, no, Turiddu—stay a little longer; so you really mean—to abandon me? Turiddu Why follow me—why spy on me, even to the very threshold—of the church? Santuzza Your Santuzza—weeps and implores you; how can you drive her—away like this? Turiddu Go, I tell you again—go, don't torment me; repentance is useless—after the offense! Santuzza (threateningly) Beware!... Turiddu I care nothing for your anger! (throws her to the ground and rushes into the church) Santuzza (at the height of her fury) A bad Easter to you, perjurer!

SCENE EIGHTH

Santuzza and Alfio Santuzza Oh! The Lord has sent you, Compare Alfio! Alfio How far has the Mass gone? Santuzza It's too late now, but as for you, Lola has gone with Turiddu! Alfio What did you say? Santuzza That while you brave rain and wind to earn your bread, Lola dishonors your home! Alfio Ah! In the name of God, Santa, what are you saying? Santuzza The truth. Turiddu took my honor, and your wife stole him from me! Alfio If you are lying, I'll tear out your heart! Santuzza My lips are not accustomed to lying! For my shame, for my sorrow, I have told you the bitter truth, alas! Alfio Comare Santa, then I am grateful to you. Santuzza I am vile for having spoken to you like this! Alfio No, you were right; I forgive you; all my love has turned to hatred... They are the vile ones; I will not forgive them; I shall have my revenge before the sun goes down. (they exit)

SCENE NINTH

All come out of the church; Lucia crosses the stage and enters her house. Lola, Turiddu and Chorus Men Home, home, friends, where our women await us, let us go; now that joy brings peace to our hearts, let us hurry without delay. (the Chorus starts to leave) Turiddu (to Lola, who is leaving) Comare Lola, are you going away without even saying goodbye? Lola I'm going home, and I haven't seen Compare Alfio! Turiddu Don't worry about him, he'll come to the square. (to the Chorus) Meanwhile, friends, come here; let's have a glass of wine. (they all gather around the table outside the inn and take glasses) Turiddu Long live the sparkling wine in the glittering glass, like the smile of a lover it gently fills us with joy! Long live the wine that is sincere, that gladdens every thought, and drowns our dark moods in tender intoxication! Chorus Long live the sparkling wine, etc., etc. (the toast is repeated) Turiddu (to Lola) To your loves! (drinks) Lola (to Turiddu) To your good fortune! (drinks) Turiddu Let's drink! Chorus Let's drink! Let the contest begin again!

SCENE TENTH

Alfio and the others Alfio Greetings to you all! Chorus Compare Alfio, greetings! Turiddu Welcome! You must drink with us: (fills a glass) here, the glass is full. Alfio (pushing it away) Thank you, but I will not accept your wine; it would turn to poison within my breast! Turiddu (throws away the wine) As you please! Lola Alas! What can this mean? Some women (to Lola) Comare Lola, let's get away from here. (all the women exit, taking Lola with them) Turiddu Have you anything else to say to me? Alfio Nothing! Turiddu Then I am at your service. Alfio Right now! Turiddu Right now! (Alfio and Turiddu embrace.— Turiddu bites Alfio's right ear.) Alfio Compare Turiddu, you've bitten in earnest... (meaningfully) we understand each other perfectly, it seems! Turiddu Compare Alfio, I know that I am in the wrong; and I swear to you in the name of God that I would let myself be slaughtered like a dog; but... if I die, she will be left abandoned... poor Santa!... she who gave herself to me... I'll know how to drive my knife into your heart! Alfio (coldly) Compare, do as you please; I'll wait for you outside, behind the orchard. (exits)

SCENE ELEVENTH

Lucia and the others, except Alfio Turiddu Mother, that wine is strong, and surely I've drunk too many glasses today... I'm going outside into the fresh air... But first I want you to bless me, as you did the day I left to be a soldier... and then... Mother... listen... if I... should not return... you must be a mother to Santa, for I had sworn to her that I would lead her to the altar.— Lucia Why do you speak like this, my son? Turiddu Oh! It's nothing!... It's the wine that made me say it! Pray to God for me!— A kiss, Mother... another kiss... farewell! (embraces her and rushes out)

SCENE TWELFTH

Lucia, Santuzza and the others Lucia (desperately, running toward the back) Oh, Turiddu?! What do you mean? (goes to the back of the stage and calls out desperately) Turiddu! Turiddu! Ah! (Santuzza enters) Santuzza!... Santuzza (throws her arms around Lucia's neck) Oh! My mother!... (a distant murmur is heard) Women (running in) They have killed Compare Turiddu!... (everyone cries out) (Some women enter, and one of them cries out desperately. Everyone rushes onto the stage. Santuzza falls unconscious. Lucia faints and is supported by the women of the Chorus.) (The curtain falls rapidly.)

libretto by Dmitrii Murashev