Music & Libretto by Michael Pratt
Act 1: the interior of Villa Puccini. Upstage and two-thirds to stage left is an entry hallway and door to the outside. Stage left is a stairway leading up and offstage. Downstage from the stairway is a doorway leading to another part of the villa and offstage. Stage right is Puccini's study. Upstage we see an upright piano where he composes. At a ninety degree angle, stage left of the piano, is a very large writing desk. Upstage is a large window looking out on a wooded lake setting. Stage right is an old beat-up couch. Stage right in the upstage corner is a full gun cabinet. The walls are lined with filled bookshelves. The study is very cluttered and unkempt. (Doria is busy cleaning the study. Tello enters from the upstage doorway.)
Tello: Have you heard? Have you heard? Puccini is back from London. He returns tonight. I must meet him in one hour and fetch his baggage.
Doria: Yes, I have heard. I have heard. It’s good to have the Maestro back. Villa Puccini is so empty. This room comes alive when he is working.
(Tello walks over to the piano, picks up some music, looks at it, and beings to play the piano.)
Doria: Stop that. No one is allowed to disturb the Maestro's work.
Tello: An interesting melody.
(He continues to play the piano. Doria comes over, takes the music from his hand and pushes him away from the piano.)
Doria: The Maestro's study is private. You should not be here. You must not disturb his work.
Tello: I will not disturb his work, but I would like to hear some of it. I could get a lot of money for a melody from his new work.
Doria: You would not dare. Don't talk like that. I will not allow even my own brother to bring harm to the Maestro.
Tello: Calm down. Calm down. Doria, I mean no harm.
Doria: I know that Tello but I will do everything in my power to keep harm from Puccini. I am completely devoted to him.
Tello: Puccini is not devoted to Madame Puccini. While in London he had another affair. This time with the wife of a London banker by the name of Sybil Seligman.
Doria: It is well known that Madame Puccini is not an easy person to live with. The Maestro's trips are his only escape from her jealousy and scolding nature.
Tello: She is also impossible to work for. Few people can stand her for very long and they quit. It is said that she possesses the evil eye. Do you remember when the young singer came to see Puccini about her career? Madame threatened her with an umbrella and chased her from the villa.
Doria: It is true, Madame Puccini finds it difficult to be the wife of an illustrious man. She does not like to stay home when he goes away. But the way she acts when he is here causes him to make more trips.
Tello: You came here when Puccini had his accident and broke his leg. You were just sixteen. Mother and father did not want you to take this job. They tried to warn you. I tried to warn you, but you would not listen.
Doria: Tello... (Tello raises a hand to quiet Doria)
Tello: Puccini is notorious for chasing after women and Madame is notorious for her insane jealousy. You will get caught in the middle. You must listen to me now. You cannot stay here any longer. Go and pack your things. When I return with Puccini I will take you with me. We will go home together. You think Puccini is the greatest man in the world, but if you stay here now only tragedy will result. Madame Puccini is enraged over this latest affair and she will take it out on you for certain. You are lucky that Puccini has left you alone. You are lucky Madame has not become suspicious of you. Your luck is going to run out. I was against you taking this position because I thought it would lower you. I was wrong about that but I am not wrong about this. I am only thinking of what’s best for you. I have overheard her relatives talking to her about you. They are telling her that he is susceptible to your charms and she must get rid of you. You know she believes them not you. Go and pack your things. When I return we will leave together. You cannot stay here any longer. Please believe me and trust me.
Doria: Tello, I know that you mean well, but I am not leaving. My place is here.
Tello: Doria... (Doria raises a hand to quiet Tello)
Doria: At home, or somewhere else, I am no different than anyone. But here, working for the Maestro, I am important, I am somebody. Here I meet musicians like Toscanini and Caruso. Here I open the Maestro's door to diplomats and royalty. You tell me what a terrible temper Madame Puccini has. You tell me I must be very cautious. I tell you I do not worry about Madame Puccini. I am someone she can trust. I look after her. You tell me that Puccini chases every pretty girl in sight. You tell me he will flirt with me and try to take advantage of me. I tell you do not listen to rumors. I shall do nothing to compromise his great name. I know that you do not understand but still you must believe me. I am happy here. I have a place here. Puccini needs me, I take care of him. Nothing is more important to me.
Tello: And what of the things that Ida and Beppe are filling Madame Puccini's head with?
Doria: Do you believe them? Do you think that I am encouraging Puccini by the way I walk around him? By the way I linger around him?
Tello: It does not matter what I think. It does matter what anyone thinks, except for Madame Puccini.
Doria: I do not care about me. She can do me no harm, but the harm she does Puccini, I must do whatever I can to protect him from.
Tello: That is not your job. That should not even be your concern. She is his wife. It must be between them. Go and pack your things. Come with me when I return.
(Tello exits the upstage doorway. Doria continues cleaning the study. Elvira enters from the stage left stairway.)
Elvira: Who was just here?
Doria: Madame Puccini, that was my brother. He said the Maestro is back. He went to fetch him and will return soon.
Elvira: I was not expecting him back tonight. It is very late, I thought he would return tomorrow. What are you up so late?
Doria: I am just doing a little cleaning, Madame. It is easier to do in the cool of the evening rather than the heat of the day. I enjoy working at night.
Elvira: I am sure you do. You are also aware that Puccini works at night. Perhaps after I have retired you two like to work together.
Doria: Madame Puccini, I would not dare to disturb the Maestro in his great work. I do not come near him or distract him in any way.
Elvira: That is not true. I have seen how you walk by him. I have seen how you linger by him. I have seen the way you look at him.
Doria: I walk by him as quietly as I can. I linger by him to see if he needs me.
Elvira: You make it sound so innocent. I know you work late so you and he can be together.
Doria: That is not true. I work at night because it is easier for me that way. I only respond to his needs.
Elvira: Of that I am sure. You must not disturb him when he is working. When I retire you must go to bed. You must leave Puccini alone.
Doria: Yes, Madame.
Elvira: I do not know if Puccini has had his supper, it is late. Go and make sure something is ready if he wishes it.
Doria: Yes, Madame.
(Doria exits the stage left doorway. Elvira wanders around the study looking at things, touching things, and finally picks up a photograph of Puccini from a bookcase.)
Elvira: I love you, Giacomo. I have loved only you since the day I left my husband to come here and live with you twenty-four years ago. I loved you and lived with you for twenty of those years before we could be married. I loved you before you became a rich and famous composer. I loved you all those years when we had nothing and before you had written anything. How do you repay my love? You turn your eye on everything that swishes by in skirts. You don't even worry about who knows it. It is me who they say cannot keep you happy. It is me who they say drives you away and into the arms of other women. You know this is not true. It is you, Puccini, not me. It is you who cannot be content with what he has. I am always here for you but you do not share with me. You do not discuss your work with me. You do not ask my opinion. I love you, Giacomo but you shut me out. Am I not good enough for you? Am I too stupid for you? I am torn to the bottom of my soul by the way you treat me. I love you, Giacomo but I cannot go on anymore like this.
(Doria enters the stage left doorway.)
Doria: Madame Puccini, the Maestro has arrived.
Elvira: Do not forget what I have told you. Do not stay up and work at night. When I retire, you retire as well.
Doria: Yes, Madame.
(Puccini and Tello enter through the upstage doorway. Tello is carrying baggage.)
Puccini: Elvira, my dear, I am back. How good to see you.
(Puccini and Elvira embrace.)
Elvira: Giacomo, I did not expect you tonight. I thought you would arrive tomorrow. Had you had your supper?
Puccini: Yes, I ate earlier. Take the baggage upstairs.
(Doria and Tello exit the stage left stairway with the baggage.)
It is good to be home. The trip was tiring. So many people. The singers were not very good. One good result. The bass complained he did not have one good aria so I wrote one for him. I inserted it before Mimi's death, he sings a farewell to his coat.
Elvira: Did you work yourself to the bone or did you have any time to indulge yourself?
Puccini: Indulge myself in what? You know that very little interests me outside my work.
Elvira: I heard from Ida and Beppe you made a new acquaintance in London. Someone in the financial world.
Puccini: You must mean Sybil Seligman and her husband, the banker. Fascinating people.
Elvira: They must be. I heard you spent a great time with them. No, I heard you spent a great time with her.
Puccini: There is very little left for me to tell. You already know everything.
Elvira: Not quite. Tell me all the details of your intimate afternoons with Sybil Seligman. Tell me all the details of your shameless affair.
Puccini: Elvira, this has got to stop. I spent some time with a lady in London who made me feel good. She flattered me. She called me a genius. What man would not enjoy such attentions. When was the last time you told me...
Elvira: That does not give you any right or excuse.
Puccini: It is mostly in your imagination. You have no cause to rail at me like this.
Elvira: My cause is just. My cause is moral. You assume that I will always be here when you return. Maybe next time I won't be here.
(Doria and Tello enter down the stairway.)
Tello: The baggage is all taken care of. Is there anything else I can do for you tonight?
Puccini: No, that will be all. I appreciate all your trouble, Tello.
Tello: Maestro, you can call on me anytime, day or night.
(Puccini pays Tello. Doria and Tello move toward the upstage door, out of earshot.)
Tello: Are you coming?
Doria: No.
(Tello glares at Doria and Doria pushes him out the door.)
Tello: I will wait outside. Please, go and get your things.
Elvira: That is all for tonight, Doria. Do not forget our discussion earlier.
(Doria exits the stage left doorway.)
Puccini: What discussion was that?
Elvira: I told Doria I did not want her staying up working at night after I have retired. I told her she was disturbing your work.
Puccini: She has never disturbed by work. She is very quiet. I never hear her unless I need something.
Elvira: I am sure that is true. That is also the problem, your needs. Why can't I take care of your needs? Why do you look elsewhere for advice and comfort? You have all you need right in front of you. I am warning you, I will not put up with you and Doria...
Puccini: (interrupting) There is no me and Doria to put with. You are making this all up in your head. Your jealousy has made you lose hold of your senses. You must stop badgering and leave me alone.
Elvira: Very well, I will leave you alone.
(Elvira exits the stage left stairway. Puccini goes over and lies down on the couch.)
Puccini: I love you, Elvira. I have loved you for twenty-four years. How do you repay my love? Your jealousy rages every time I cast my eye on another woman. I cannot pursue my career without battles at every turn. People in the town stop me in the street and ask me what is wrong with you. Our son is so confused he flees with me to Paris. I love you, Elvira, but lately it is impossible if I am around you. You only allow me to love you from afar. When we are together the flame in my heart goes out. It has not always been this way. We used to be content with each other. Now it seems that there is no contentment at all with each other. Now you imagine something with me and Doria. That is beyond belief. I would never disgrace that sweet child. This time I will not allow you to rage over nothing. This time I will stand up to you and you will see the truth.
(Puccini goes over to the piano and begins playing. Elvira enters from the stairway.)
Elvira: Surely you are not going to work tonight? After such a long trip?
Puccini: I wanted to work a few things out. Elvira: I as well. Come upstairs so we can discuss some things. Puccini: Perhaps in a bit, I am not ready yet.
Elvira: I will listen to the piano from upstairs. When it stops I will expect you.
(Elvira exits up the stairway. Interlude of Puccini working at the piano. After a while Doria enters from the stage left doorway and looks at Puccini hard at work and then turns to go.)
Puccini: Doria, I did not see you there.
Doria: Maestro, I did not want to disturb you.
Puccini: Nonsense, you are not disturbing me.
Doria: It is good to have you back, Maestro. It is very lonely when you are gone, and much too quiet. Did you have a good trip?
Puccini: Yes, I suppose so Although, I must admit that the older I get the more boring these trips become. I would rather stay here in Torre del Lago with my friends looking for a duck to shoot. These are the pleasures I really crave. Not all that fame and fawning in London or Paris.
Doria: I should leave. If Madame heard me here she would be very angry.
Puccini: Is Madame being difficult with you Doria?
Doria: Not when you are away. But when you return she imagines all kinds of things. Today she said I was distracting you from your work. She said she has seen the way I walk by you and the way I linger around you. I do not know what she is imagining about me and you. You know I only want to serve you. To be near if you need anything. You know I would never harm you or disgrace you. Maestro, you are the only thing in the world important to me.
(Puccini goes over to Doria and takes her hand.)
Puccini: Doria, I do not want you to worry about this. I will talk to Madame and straighten all this out. You are completely innocent. You have done nothing wrong and have nothing to worry about.
Doria: But Maestro, if Madame imagines bad things she will tell people lies about us. You will be hurt by all of this. I will not be able to take care of you. Puccini: Doria, I tell you do not worry. I will take of it all.
(Doria becomes very distraught. Puccini puts his arms around her to comfort her. Elvira enters from the stairway)
Elvira: As I thought. I was right about you Doria. I have known it all along.
Doria: Madame, I only..., I wanted...
Elvira: Yes, I am sure. I see what I see. I see my husband's arms around you, Doria.
Puccini: Elvira, what you see is completely innocent. It is you who have upset her so that she came to me for help.
Elvira: Help with what? I have seen with my eyes what you help with. The same help you give Sybil Seligman in London. The same help you give every soprano you meet. I see your help. It has been a long time since you helped me like that.
Doria: Madame, please, I just wanted to see if the Maestro needed anything before I retired like you told me to do. I become upset. The Maestro put his arms around me because I was crying. Please, Madame, you must listen.
Puccini: Elvira, you must calm down.
Elvira: Why should I calm down. I hear the piano stop. I come downstairs. I find you two embracing each other. I see with my own eyes this time. I catch you in the very act this time. You want me to calm down. Not while she stays in this villa. Not while she remains under my roof.
Puccini: Elvira, you are hysterical. You must calm down. Nothing happened between us. You are imagining all this. Doria: Madame, please, he is innocent. You must not blame the Maestro. Please, listen to me. It is all my fault.
Elvira: Why should I calm down. I hear the piano stop. I come downstairs. I find you embracing each other. Doria, you must leave this very instant.
Doria: Maestro, please...
(Puccini approaches Elvira. Elvira goes to the gun cabinet and takes out a pistol which she aims at the floor.)
Puccini: Elvira, you cannot be serious.
(Elvira aims the gun at the ceiling and fires. Doria begins to scream and runs toward the upstage doorway. Tello enters the upstage doorway and grabs Doria.)
Tello: Doria, are you hurt?
(No response. He stands between Elvira and Doria.) (looking at Elvira)
Maestro, what is happening here?
Elvira: I have caught your slut of a sister in the arms of my husband. If she does not leave, the next shot will not be in the ceiling.
(Puccini lunges and grabs the gun from Elvira.)
Puccini: Elvira, come to your senses. You are behaving like a lunatic.
Tello: Maestro, what is she saying about you and my sister?
Doria: Tello, nothing is true. The Maestro is completely innocent. I think the Madame wants to kill me.
Puccini: Tello, it is probably best if you take Doria and leave.
Elvira: Why do you stay? For the last time, leave now.
(Elvira reaches for the pistol, Puccini restrains her.)
Elvira: I have caught her with my husband. She must leave at once. Take her out of her with you. I swear to you I will punish her.
Puccini: Elvira, why are you doing this? There was nothing wrong here. Tello, you must believe me. Your sister is completely innocent.
Doria: Maestro, I am sorry. You are not to blame. If I had not come down here, this would not have happened.
Tello: I warned you this would happen. This woman is not right. Now you must come with me. You must not stay here any longer.
(Doria begins crying hysterically. Tello takes her by the arms.)
Tello: We will leave, Maestro. But the Manfredi family cannot be treated like this. This is not the end of it.
Elvira: Of that you can be certain.
(She lunges towards Tello and Doria. Puccini holds her back and motions them to leave.)
This will not be the end of it. I will see to that.
(Doria and Tello exit the upstage doorway. Curtain.)
