New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-10-01
Verga's Story Retold.


II Is rude little tale which Clio
vanni Verga wrote and which supplied
the librettists, G. Targioni- Tozzetti and
G. Menasci, with the plot for Mas
cagni's opera. Sententious as the
opera seems, it is yet puffe1 out,
padded and bediZened with unessential
This has the simplicity and directness
Of folktale or folksong, and much Of
its characteristic color and strength
were lost in fitting it out for music.
The play. which Signora Duse pre-
scented TO Us with a power which no
operate singer can ever hope to match,
was more TO the purpose, quicker and
stronger in movement, fercer in its
onrush Of passion and more pathetic
in its silences than the opera with its
music, though the note Of pathos
sounded by Signor Mascagni is the
most striking element Of the score.
With half a dozen homely touches
Verga conjures up the life Of a Sell
ian village and hews out his characters
in bold outline. Turiddu Macca, son
Of Nunzia, is a bersdgliere returned
from service. He struts about the vii
lage streets in his uniform, smoking a
pipe carved with an image of the
King on horseback, which he lights
with a match fired by a scratch on the
seat of his trousers, lifting his leg
as If for a kick" Lola, daughter Of
Massaro Angelo, was his sweetheart
when he was conscripted, but mean
while she has promised 20 marry Alto,
a teamster from Licodia, who has four
Sortino mules in his stable. Now Tu-
riddu can 90 nothing better than sing
spiteful songs under her window.
Lola married the teamster, and on
Sundays she would sit in the yard
with her hands posed on her hips to
show of the thick gold rings which her
husband had given her. Opposite
Altos house lived Massaro Cola, who
was as rich as hog, as they said, and
who had an only daughter named Santa.
Turiddu, TO spite Lola, paid his ad-
dresses to Santa and whispered sweet
words into her ear.
"Why don't you 90 and say these nice
things to Lola" asked Santa one day.
Lola is a fine lady now; she has
married crown prince. But you are
worth a thousand Lolas; she isn't
worthy Of wearing your old shoes. I
could just eat you up with my eyes,
SANTA thus Turiddu.
"You may eat me with your eyes
and welcome. for then there will be
no leaving of crumbs"
"If were rich would like TO have
a wife just like YOU
II shall never marry a crown prince
but shall have a dowry as we'll as
Lola when the good Lord sends me a
lover"
The tassel on his cap had tickled
her fancy. Her father disapproved Of
the young soldier, and turned him
from his door; but Santa opened her
window to him until the village Cos
sips got busy with her name and his.
Lola listened TO the talk OF the lovers
from behind a vase Of flowers. One
day she called after Turiddu: "Ah,
Turiddu, Old friends are no longer
noticed, eh ."
"He is a happy man who has the
chance Of seeing you. Lola"
'You know where ! live" answered
Lola. And now Turiddu visited Lola
so often that Santa shut her window
in his face and the villagers began 20
smile knowingly when he passed by.
Alto was making a round of the fairs
with his mules. Next Sunday | must
20 to confession said Lola one day,
"for last night dreamt that saw
black grapes
Never mind the dream" pleaded
Turiddu.
But Easter is coming, and my hus-
band will want 10 know why have not
confessed"
Santa was before the confessional
waiting her turn when Lola was re-
ceiving absolution. 81 wouldn't send
you 20 Rome for absoluton," she said.
Alto came home with his mules, and
money and a rich holiday dress for his
wife.
"You DO well to bring presents to
her" said Santa TO him, "for when
you are away your wife adorns your
head for you
"Holy Devil" screamed Alto. "Be
sure Of what you are saying, or I'll
not leave you an eye to cry with"
~ an not in the habit Of crying. I
haven't wept even when | have seen
Turiddu going into your wife's house
at night
Enough" said Alto. az thank you
very much
The cat having come back home,
Turiddu kept Oft the streets by day, but
in the evenings consoled himself with
his friends at the tavern. They were
enjoying dish Of sausages there on
Easter eve. When Alto came in Tu-
riddu understood what he wanted by
the way he fixed his eyes on him. "You
know what want 20 speak 20 you
about" said Alto when Turiddu asked
him If he had any commands to give
him. lie offered Alto a glass Of wine,
but it was refused with a wave Of