Music & Libretto by Michael Pratt
Act 3, Scene 1: the interior of a courtroom. Upstage center is a railing behind which the accused sits throughout the trial. The railing is not solid, the floor can be seen through the railing. Upstage, stage right is the Judge's bench facing somewhat on a bias across the stage to downstage, stage left. Downstage of the Judge's bench is a witness box facing across the stage to stage left. Stage left is a prosecution table facing across to the Judge's bench and witness box. Behind the prosecution table is a railing and spectator benches. Stage left is the back of the courtroom with a door (exit offstage).
(Puccini enters and sits in the front row of spectator benches. He takes some paper from a case he is carrying and begins to write a letter.)
Puccini: My dearest Sybil, I am leaving soon for Paris. I cannot stand it any more. I suppose you have heard, read something in the newspaper. It is a tragic affair. I shall leave Elvira for good. She has become completely deranged. Elvira started imagining all sorts of things. She made such a terrible scene. Made such awful accusations. Called her such horrible names. She even went around the village spreading her poison. She tried to turn Doria's family against her. Doria's brother attacked me saying he would like to kill me because I was his sister's lover. Poor Doria was faced with a hell in her own home and dishonor outside. With Elvira's insults ringing in her ears she swallowed some poison and died after torment and atrocious agony. You can imagine. Everyone was against me, but even more against Elvira. She left for Milan the day of the poisoning. By the order of the authorities a medical examination was made in the presence of witnesses and she was found to be pure. Poor Doria. I am only telling you the truth when I say that I have often lovingly fingered my revolver. What now? What now?
(Tello enters and goes over to Puccini. He takes off his hat and holds it by both hands in front of him.)
Tello: Maestro, please, I hope you understand. The Manfredi family honor is at stake. We cannot allow this to go unpunished. That is why we are here today, for justice for Doria.
Puccini: Tello, I understand that.
Tello: Please, do not think that this is something against you. I was wrong. I am sorry that I attacked you. I should have believed you and Doria.
Puccini: I was disturbed that you did not believe us. Your sister died to convince you of her innocence.
Tello: I know that. That will haunt me to my own grave. I cannot undo my wrong to Doria but I tell you I am sorry. I would like to be a friend again of the great Maestro.
Puccini: You are my friend.
Tello: Thank you, Maestro.
Puccini: I would like to ask your family. Drop your lawsuit.
Tello: Maestro...
Puccini: (interrupting) Please, allow me to give your family four thousand lire.
(Tello straightens up to a more determined stance.)
Tello: Maestro, I cannot do that. Justice must be done. Why should you care? You are packed and are leaving.
Puccini: It is true, I am leaving, but I still love her.
Tello: That I do not understand, Maestro.
Puccini: Neither do I.
(Tello sits down at the prosecution table. Mama Manfredi enters and sits beside Tello. Madame Puccini enters and goes to the accused box. The Judge enters from behind his bench. Everyone stands up. The Judge sits down and bangs his gavel. Everyone sits down.)
Judge: The court is now in session. Madame Puccini, towards the deceased Doria Manfredi you are charged with defamation of character, libel, and menace to life and limb. Enter the box and give your testimony.
(Elvira leaves the accused box and goes to the witness box and sits down.)
Elvira: Charged with defamation of character. I am innocent of that charge. How can it be defamation of character if what I said is true, completely true? Charged with libel and menace to life and limb. Innocent. Innocent. How can it be libel and menace to life and limb? If it is true is it wrong? True I threatened to drown her in the lake but I did not mean that literally. I wanted for her to leave the village but I did not want her to kill herself. Your honor, I regret my conduct, but I beg of you, I caught her there with my husband. It was jealousy that drove me to do what I did to her. I could not stand it any more. Not my fault she was an hysterical. Not my fault. Not my fault. Not my fault, I cannot be held responsible. It was her. That is all I have to say.
(Elvira leaves the witness box and returns to the accused box. The Judge bangs his gavel.)
Judge: Tello Manfredi. Enter the box and give your testimony.
(Tello goes to the witness box and sits down.)
Tello: Your honor, I ask for justice. My sister is dead. And she (pointing at Elvira) must pay for it. She was pure when she died, she had never known a man. Doria was completely devoted to the Maestro. She died to prove her innocence. Your honor, find her guilty. Only then can she rest in peace. Let me read a letter she wrote.
(Tello takes a letter from his pocket and begins to read.)
I am innocent.
(The figure of Doria suddenly appears standing behind Tello. She is completely shrouded in white. Her face cannot be seen clearly. She and Tello read the previous line in unison and then she continues alone. The effect should be of him reading the letter but we hear her voice and see her figure behind him.)
Tello and Doria: I am innocent.
Doria: My life has been devoted to taking care of the Maestro. I am caught up events. Some force holds me tight. Madame understands what she is doing. Maestro cannot break free. She is relentless, he is defenseless. Something must give way. That something is me. It is the only way. I am innocent. I am innocent. When I am dead you will believe me. Remember me fondly.
Tello and Doria: Goodbye.
Doria: I go to a better place.
(Doria disappears.)
Tello: You honor, I ask for justice. My sister speaks from the grave. She cries out for justice.
(Tello returns to the prosecution table.)
Judge: Signora Manfredi. Enter the box and give your testimony.
(Mama Manfredi goes to the witness box and sits down.)
Mama: Your honor, I am the only one who believed her. No one else believed her. They all turned against her. All she says are lies. I, too, have some letters to read. This one from the Maestro to Doria. (reading) My conscience is clear. I am desolate. It is all lies. The greatest injustice. (finishes reading) This one by the Maestro to me. (reading) There is no truth in all that has been whispered. Your honor, I thought I understood her actions but she went too far. She became unbalanced. She should be put in an asylum.
Elvira: This is absurd. I am not crazy.
(The Judge bangs his gavel.)
Judge: Madame, sit down and be quiet.
Elvira: I won’t sit here and listen her say I am crazy.
Judge: You will be quite be in contempt of court.
Elvira: My contempt is for her lies.
(The Judge bangs his gavel.)
Judge: You are in contempt. Sit down.
(Elvira glares at the Judge and slowly sits down.)
Please continue.
Mama: My son wants justice and so do I, but now I know it is not her fault. She has become unbalanced. Lock her up so she can hurt no one else.
(Mama Manfredi stands up and returns to the prosecution table. She never looks at Elvira but Elvira glares at her all the way. The Judge bangs his gavel.)
Judge: Maestro Puccini. Enter the box and give your testimony.
(Puccini goes to the Judge's bench and stands before the Judge.)
Puccini: Your honor, I am her husband. I do not wish to testify.
Judge: That is your right. You do not have to if you do not want to.
(Puccini returns to his seat in the spectator's benches.)
The court will recess while I deliberate my verdict.
(The Judge bangs his gavel and exits behind his bench. Puccini goes over to Elvira.)
Elvira: You could have given testimony to support me. You could have helped.
Puccini: What could I have say? I would have had to tell the truth. And the truth is that you were wrong. You did everything they said you did.
Elvira: You could have for once admit your actions. You could have told the Judge I’m not crazy.
Puccini: I am sorry, Elvira, I could not do that.
Elvira: Do you realize I could go to jail. Think about that. The wife of the great Puccini, in jail.
Puccini: I do not think it will come to that. I do not want you to go to jail. But for you, not for me.
Elvira: Giacomo, I cannot go to jail. The very thought of it frightens me. Please, help me.
(During the preceding Tello and Mama Manfredi have gone to the back of the courtroom.)
Tello: Justice is at hand, Mama.
Mama: Yes, I suppose so. But I wonder what kind.
Tello: Mama, surely you’re not serious. Do you want her name unstained? Do you want the Manfredi name unstained? Do you want her punished?
Mama: Yes, as much as you. But still I feel sorry for her. She is so crazy.
Tello: I told the Maestro earlier it does not matter. Crazy people should be punished as well.
(During the preceding Puccini has gone back to his seat in the spectator benches. Tello and Mama Manfredi return to their seats at the prosecution table. The Judge enters from behind his bench. Everyone stands up. The Judge sits down and bangs his gavel. Everyone sits down.)
Judge: Madame Elvira Puccini, please rise.
(Elvira stands up in the accused box.)
For your actions today in contempt of court. Guilty. On the charge of defamation of character. Guilty. On the charge of libel. Guilty. On the charge of menace to life and limb. Guilty.
(Elvira begins to sob. Puccini stands up)
You are fined seven hundred lire And five months and five days in prison.
(The Judge bangs his gavel. At the sound of the gavel Elvira cries out and faints to the floor. Puccini runs to her aid.)
Tello: Justice. Justice. Justice.
(Curtain.)
