PLOT OF THE OPERA.
Turiddu, a young villager, is the son of Lucia, and the lover of Lola, (who is the wife of Alfio; having married the latter during Turiddu's prolonged absence in military service). Turiddu wins the affections of Santuzza, whom he wrongs; while, in the meantime, he is intimate with Lola. On Easter morning, (the opening of the opera), Alfio is incidentally informed, by Santuzza, of his wife's unfaithful actions. He challenges Turiddu (biting the ear, as was the rustic Sicilian custom). Turiddu, though regretting his past evil course, accepts the challenge and is killed by Alfio.
RUSTIC CHIVALRY.
Turiddu. (Behind the scenes.)
O Lo-la, fair as flow'rs in beau-ty smil-ing, ...
Love from thy soul-lit eyes
Soft-ly is glow-ing; ...
He who would kiss thy lips, red and be-guil-ing ...
Bliss-ful and fa-vor'd were he,
Such heav-en know-ing!...
Tho' thy thresh-old blood, crim-son, is stain-ing, ...
Car-ing for naught, I seek thee, scorning to hide me; ...
What tho' I for-feit life, thy pres-ence gain-ing?
What were the joy of heav'n, wert thou de-nied me!
What tho' I for-feit life, thy pres-ence gain-ing,
What were the joy of heav'n wert thou de-nied me.
Ah! ... Ah! ... Ah! ... Ah! ...
O Lo-la, bian-ca co-me fior di spi-no, ... quan-do t'af-fac-ci te s'affac-(cia il) so-le; ...
Chi t'ha ba-cia-(to il) lab-bro por-po-ri-no ...
Gra-zia più bel-la a Di-o chie-der non vô-le....
C'e scrit-to san-gue so-pra la tua por-ta; ...
Ma di re-star-(ci a) me non me n'in-por-ta; ...
Se per te mo-(jo e) va-(do in) pa-ra-di-so,
Non c'en-tro se ... non ve-do il tuo bel vi-so,
Se per te mo-(jo e) va (do in) pa-ra-di-so
Non c'en-tro se ... non ve-do il tuo bel vi-so.
Ah! ... Ah! ... Ah! ... Ah! ...
(Curtain rises.)