page_title: Il Postino (opera)
section_title: Act 2
hierarchical_section_title: Il Postino (opera) / Synopsis / Act 2
caption_attribution_description: English: Many of the scenes of the Oscar-winning film "Il Postino" were shot in Pollara on the Italian island of Salina. This is the house that served as poet Pablo Neruda's Italian retreat in the film.
context_page_description: Il Postino is an opera in three acts by Daniel Catán with a Spanish libretto by the composer. Based on the novel Ardiente paciencia by Antonio Skármeta and the film Il Postino by Michael Radford, the work contains elements of drama and comedy, integrating themes of love and friendship along with political and spiritual conflict. The opera premiered at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion by Los Angeles Opera on 23 September 2010.
  Set on a small Italian island, exiled Chilean poet Pablo Neruda receives so much fan mail that a personal postman, Mario Ruoppolo, is hired to deliver his letters. Mario, smitten by Beatrice Russo, turns to Pablo for help writing poetry that would help him win the heart of the woman he longs for. Soon after, Mario and the barmaid fall in love and wed. In the third act, influenced by Pablo's works, Mario begins writing political poems and while reciting at a communist demonstration, violence breaks out and he receives a gunshot wound, killing him.
  Il Postino was commissioned by Los Angeles Opera who co-produced the premiere production with the Theater an der Wien in Vienna and Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris.
context_section_description: Scene 1: "Que haces?"
  
  Beatrice is in her bedroom thinking of Mario. Her aunt, Donna Rosa enters the room and is displeased by her niece's contact with the younger man. Beatrice, falling in love with Mario, tells her aunt that he spoke to her in metaphors. Soon they argue over Mario's intentions and Donna Rosa finds a letter from Mario. She takes it away and leaves the room.
  Scene 2: "Tus manos..."
  
  Di Cosimo, seeking votes at the next election, promises to bring water to the island. Giorgio and others complain that he's been promising this for years. Di Cosimo calls them liars and states that it wasn't him making the promises. Excited at the prospect of workers coming to the island and becoming customers, Donna Rosa pledges her support for Di Cosimo.
  Scene 3: Love Duet #1
  
  Mario approaches Beatrice in the evening, singing more metaphors in an effort to impress her. Influenced by her aunt, Beatrice is reluctant to accept Mario's advances.
  Scene 4: "Te caíste de la cama"
  
  In his next delivery, Mario brings Pablo an audio reel. Pablo gives him a book that will help him with his metaphors, then introduces him to a sound recorder. The device plays, telling them that Pablo's book is a big success in Chile and will be re-printed.
  Scene 5: "Léamela Padre"
  
  Distressed, Donna Rosa runs to the priest and gives him Mario's letter to read. Upon hearing the letter, Donna Rosa is horrified by the contents of the poetry written to Beatrice.
  Scene 6: Love Duet #2
  
  Mario and Beatrice meet in the night, sharing an embrace. With a gun, Donna Rosa comes looking for them, calling out for her niece. Mario and Beatrice share a kiss and Beatrice runs away.
  Scene 7: "Chile la sangre de tus hijos"
  
  Pablo receives a letter from Chile telling him that there is more bloodshed. Singing "Chile la sangre de tus hijos" ("Chile, blood of your children") Pablo laments the lives lost and the difficulties back at home. Matilde enters the room and Pablo shares his grief. Mario arrives, wanting to speak to Pablo but waits as the couple embraces. Exchanging their affection, Pablo and Matilde sing "Comprendo" ("I Understand").
  Scenes 8 and 9: "Señor Neruda!"
  
  Donna Rosa cries out Pablo's name. In a panic, Mario runs into Pablo's room and hides. Donna Rosa arrives with a gun and tells Pablo that Mario is poisoning her niece with metaphors. She threatens to shoot Mario if he meets with Beatrice again, then leaves.
  Scene 10: Love Duet #3
  
  Alone, Mario sings out to Beatrice. Beatrice responds and they soon meet, sharing their love for each other. Donna Rosa tries to pursue them unsuccessfully.
  Scene 11: "The Wedding"
  
  Mario and Beatrice wed. After the wedding, the guests gather at a table and celebrate. Donna Rosa, unhappy with the marriage, greets Mario hesitantly. Mario's father sings a song which is followed by a speech given from Mario. Pablo sings a song for the newlywed couple and the guests celebrate.
caption: The house on the Island of Salina used as the setting for Neruda's house in the film Il Postino
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