The Cloak
Opera in one act
LIBRETTO
Giuseppe Adami
based on the play La houppelande by Didier Gold
PREMIERE
14 December 1918, New York (Metropolitan Opera)
CAST
MICHELE, owner of a barge (Baritone)
GIORGETTA, his wife (Soprano)
LUIGI, stevedore (Tenor)
TALPA, stevedore (Bass)
LA FRUGOLA, his wife, (Mezzosoprano)
kkTINCA, stevedore (Tenor)
A SONG-VENDOR (Tenor)
TWO LOVERS (Soprano, Tenor)
CHORUS
stevedores, seamstresses
PLACE
Paris
TIME
present time
SOLE ACT
A barge moored in a bend of the Seine at twilight.
Giorgetta attends to various tasks such as taking down her laundry, watering the flowers and cleaning the canaries'cage.
Michele leans against the rudder watching the sun set, his pipe has gone out.
A horsedrawn cart waits on shore, where sacks of cement are piled on it by stevedores, who move back and forth from the hold to the shore. Tugboat whistles and automobile horns are heard in the distance.
GIORGETTA
O Michele? Michele?
Aren't you tired of
watching the sun set?
Is it so spectacular?
MICHELE
It is!
GIORGETTA
So I see. No more smoke
comes from your pipe!
MICHELE
pointing to the stevedores
Have they finished there?
GIORGETTA
Shall I go see?
MICHELE
No, stay here, I'll go myself.
GIORGETTA
They have done so much work!
As they promised,
the hold will be cleared,
and tomorrow it can be loaded again.
We should compensate them
for their efforts; a good drink.
STEVEDORES
Ho! Heave! Ho!
Around once more!
MICHELE
But of course.
You think of everything, heart of gold!
Bring them something to drink.
STEVEDORES
If we work half‑heartedly,
we will remain moored here, and Margot
will go off with others!
GIORGETTA
The task is almost finished;
this will give them strength.
MICHELE
My wine will satisfy their thirst
and restore them.
STEVEDORES
Ho! Heave! Ho!
Around once more!
Don't linger, boatmen;
after you'll be able to rest,
and Margot will be content!
MICHELE
moving toward Giorgetta affectionately
And me, haven't you thought of me?
GIORGETTA
pulling away from him
Of you? Why do you ask?
MICHELE
putting his arm around her
I may have given up wine,
but if my pipe is burnt out,
it doesn't mean my passion is too.
A kiss, my love -
She receives his kiss on her cheek; Michele goes below
STEVEDORES
Ho! Heave! Ho! Around once more!
Now the hold is empty,
the long day has ended,
and Margot shall love you!
LUIGI
returning from shore to the barge
It's stifling here, madame!
GIORGETTA
So I thought
entering the cabin, casting a long glance at Luigi
I have something you want
Try this wine.
TINCA
emerging from the hold with a load on his shoulders
Damned sacks! Wretched world!
Hurry up, Talpa! It's time to eat.
TALPA
emerging from the hold
Don't rush! Don't annoy me.
This sack is breaking my back.
wiping away sweat with his hand
God! Such heat!
Luigi, another round.
LUIGI
indicating Giorgetta, who appears with a jug of wine and glasses
Here is your other round!
Come, fellows, drink.
Here, all together, quickly.
Quickly, now!
as the men crowd around Giorgetta
Wine will give us energy to finish.
GIORGETTA
laughing
How you go on!
Surely: Wine for all!
pouring
Here, Talpa! and for Tinca.
Take it!
TALPA
To your health we drink this wine!
The loaded cart pulls away after the driver has a glass of wine
Raise your glasses! Drink! Cheer!
Wishing you happiness like the joy wine gives!
GIORGETTA
If you'll have more -
TALPA
I never refuse!
GIORGETTA
to the rest, as she fills Talpas glass
Bring your glasses!
LUIGI
indicating an organ grinder, who passes by on shore
Here's the organ grinder!
He's come just in time.
TINCA
raising his glass
In this wine I drown
all sad thoughts.
I drink to the master, Cheer!
to Giorgetta, who refills his glass
Thank you!
My only pleasure is here
in the bottom of this glass.
LUIGI
to the organ grinder
Hey there! Professor! Come here!
to the others
Now you'll hear an artist.
GIORGETTA
I go for only one kind of music;
music for dancing.
TINCA
stepping forward
Naturally! I'm at your service,
and quite a dancer.
GIORGETTA
laughing
Hah! You must keep that promise.
TINCA
contentedly
I'm dancing with the mistress.
They dance, Luigi and Talpa cover their ears
LUIGI
to Tinca
You seem to be cleaning the floor!
GIORGETTA
Ah! you've crushed my foot!
LUIGI
pushing Tinca aside and taking his place
Go! Leave her! I'm here.
Giorgetta seems to lose herself in his arm; Michele emerges from the hold.
TALPA
Fellows, here's the master
Giorgetta and Luigi stop dancing. The latter tosses a coin to the organ grinder and bids him leave. The stevedores descend to the hold, leaving Michele alone with his wife.
GIORGETTA
fixing her hair and assuming an air of nonchalance
Well then, what are you thinking?
Do we leave next week?
MICHELE
We'll see.
GIORGETTA
Talpa and Tinca will stay here?
MICHELE
Luigi will stay too.
GIORGETTA
You didn't think that yesterday.
MICHELE
And today, I think so.
GIORGETTA
Why?
VENDOR OF SONGS
from the distance
Who wants my latest song?
MICHELE
Because I don't want him
to starve to death.
GIORGETTA
He always manages.
MICHELE
I know; he certainly does.
VENDOR OF SONGS
Who wants it?
MICHELE
That's why he never finishes anything.
GIORGETTA
One never knows with you
if he's done badly or well!
VENDOR OF SONGS
closer
Who wants it?
MICHELE
A man who works keeps his job.
GIORGETTA
It's already evening –
oh, what a rosy September sunset!
What an autumn chill!
Doesn't the sun resemble a huge orange
as it sinks into the Seine?
Look there; it's Frugola!
VENDOR OF SONGS
still closer
Who wants it,
the tune and the words?
GIORGETTA
Do you see her?
She searches for her husband
and won't leave him.
MICHELE
He deserves it. He drinks too much!
GIORGETTA
Don't you know she's jealous?
My husband, you're not in a good mood!
What's wrong? What do you stare at?
And why so silent?
A vendor of songs appears on a street near the river, followed by a man carrying a small harp. Several seamstresses emerge from a clothing shop and form a circle around the peddler.
VENDOR OF SONGS
Who wants my latest song?
SEAMSTRESSES
Ah, wonderful! Yes, yes!
MICHELE
Have I ever caused a scene?
GIORGETTA
You certainly have not; you don't beat me.
VENDOR OF SONGS
Springtime, springtime,
look no more for the lovers there
in the evening shadows.
MICHELE
What? You want me to?
GIORGETTA
To your occasional silences, yes.
I would prefer to be beaten till I'm bruised!
Michele moves away and tinkers with a cable.
VENDOR OF SONGS
Springtime, springtime!
He who lived for love,
will have died for love.
That's the story of Mimi.
GIORGETTA
pursuing Michele
At least tell me what’s bothering you!
MICHELE
Nothing, nothing!
VENDOR OF SONGS
She waits and knows shes dying,
counting the hours of the day
by the beats of her heart,
counting the hours of the day.
GIORGETTA
When we're in Paris I'm happy!
MICHELE
calmly
So I see.
GIORGETTA
Why?
VENDOR OF SONGS
But her lover does not return,
and the beating stops
along with the heart of Mimi!
He leaves. The girls wander off, trying the last stanza of the new song.
SEAMSTRESSES
Counting the hours of the day, etc.
Their voices fade into the distance. La Frugola appears ashore and crosses onto the barge. A sack of rags she has collected is slung over her shoulder.
FRUGOLA
Young lovers, good evening.
GIORGETTA
Good evening, Frugola!
Michele greets Frugola briefly, then retires to the cabin
FRUGOLA
Has my husband finished working?
This morning he could hardly move,
he had such terrible pain.
He causes his own punishmen.
But I've cured him: a good rub
with rum and his back soaked up every bit.
She laughs, then, dropping her sack,
rummages in it eagerly
Ah! Giorgetta, look –
a jewel‑studded comb!
If you want it, I'll give it to you.
It's as nice as anything
I've found today.
GIORGETTA
taking her comb
They're right to call you frugal;
you rummage in every comer
to fill that sack of yours.
FRUGOLA
If you only knew what strange things
are collected in this sack!
Look at this –
I have for you a tuft of feathers.
Lace and velvets, rags and tin cans.
In here they're all mixed up.
Odd remnants, evidence of a thousand loves.
Joys and torments are collected here;
I don't distinguish between
the rich and the poor.
GIORGETIA
What’s in that bag?
FRUGOLA
A heart of beef for Corporal,
my tawny‑coloured tabby cat
with the strange eye, who has no equal.
GIORGETTA
Isn’t your cat the privileged one!
FRUGOLA
He deserves to be! You should see him!
He is the best‑looking cat,
and my best romance.
When Talpa is out,
he keeps me company,
and together we have a love affair
without spite and jealousy.
Would you he to know his philosphy?
Purr purr:
It's better to be master in a hovel
than to serve in a palace.
Purr purr;
It’s better to live on two slices of a heart
than to tear at one's own with love!
TALPA
emerging from the hold followed by Luigi
Ha! here's my old lady!
What are you talking about?
FRUGOLA
I'm talking to Giorgetta about the cat.
MICHELE
emerging from the cabin and approaching Luigi
O Luigi, tomorrow we load iron.
Can you come to give a hand?
LUIGI
I will come, sir.
TINCA
coming from the hold behind the rest of the stevedores, who go ashore after bidding their employer goodnight
Good night all.
TALPA
You're in a hurry?
FRUGOLA
Hurrying to get yourself drunk?
Ah! If only I were your wife!
TINCA
What would you do?
FRUGOLA
I would pound you till you Stopp
spending nights at the tavern.
Aren't you ashamed?
TINCA
No, no. Wine is good for me!
In it I drown rebellious thoughts;
if I drink I dont think,
and if I think I don’t laugh! Ha, ha, ha.
Michele descends to the hold.
LUIGI
You're right; it's better not to think,
Just bow your head and bend your back.
Our lives are worth no more,
and every joy turns into punishment.
Sacks on your back,
down to the ground goes your head!
If you look up, watch for the whip.
Bread is earned with sweat,
and time for love must be stolen.
One steals it with doubt and fear,
which obscure the most divine of joys.
Everything must be fought for or stolen –
by morning the day is already dark!
You're right; it's better not to think,
just bow your head and bend your back.
TINCA
Take my example ‑ drink!
GIORGETTA
That's enough!
TINCA
leaving
I won't say any more.
Till tomorrow, fellows, stay well.
TALPA
Shouldn't we be going too?
I'm dead tired.
FRUGOLA
Ah! When will we ever buy
a cottage?
There we might rest.
GIORGETTA
Your mind is fixed on the country!
FRUGOLA
I've dreamed of a little house
with a garden at its side,
four walls close together,
and two pine trees for shade.
My old man stretched out in the sun,
Corporal at my feet,
I would wait this way for death,
that remedy of all ills!
GIORGETTA
My dream is something else!
I was born in a suburb,
and only the air of Paris
thrills me and nourishes me!
Ah! if only Michele would one day give up
this tiresome vagabond life!
I wouldn't have to live in there,
between the bed and the stove!
You should have seen the room I had once!
FRUGOLA
Where did you live?
GIORGETTA
You don't know?
LUIGI
Belleville.
GIORGETTA
Luigi knows.
LUIGI
I was born there too!
GIORGETTA
Like me, it's in our blood.
LUIGI
One can never be free of it!
GIORGETTA
It must be experienced!
Belleville is our soil
and our world.
It's impossible for us to live on water.
We have to tread on sidewalks.
There is a house, and there are friends,
cheerful meetings and plenty of confidence.
LUIGI
There one knows everyone else,
there everyone is one family.
GIORGETTA
In the morning one tends to his work.
Comes evening, he returns with company.
Shops are ablaze
with light and attractions,
carriages crossing paths,
noisy Sundays,
little excursions two by two
into the Bois de Boulogne!
Dancing under the sky, amorous affairs,
It’s difficult to describe it,
this anxiety, this strange nostalgia -
GIORGETTA and LUIGI
nearly ecstatic
But whoever leaves the suburb
wants to return, and he who returns
can never leave it again.
There in the midst of Paris it calls
with a thousand gay voices,
with unending fascination!
FRUGOLA
Now I understand you;
life here is something else.
TALPA
Aren't you going to eat?
to Luigi
What do you say?
LUIGI
I'm staying.
I have to talk to the boss.
TALPA
If that’s the case, see you tomorrow.
FRUGOLA
Old friends, good night!
They leave, arm in arm.
As they disappear their voices fade into the distance.
Other voices are heard in the distance.
Luigi approaches Giorgetta, but she stops him
GIORGETTA
O Luigi, Luigi! Be careful!
He might appear any moment!
Stay there, at a distance.
LUIGI
Why then aggravate my torment?
Why call me in vain?
GIORGETTA
I tremble to think of last night,
of the ardour of your kisses!
LUIGI
You know what was in them.
GIORGETTA
Yes, my love, but no more!
LUIGI
What foolish fear has seized you?
GIORGETTA
If he finds out it means death!
LUIGI
I'd rather die than see you
bound to this fate forever!
GIORGETTA
Ah! if we could be alone, far away.
LUIGI
And always together!
GIORGETTA
And always in love!
Say you'll never leave me -
LUIGI
about to run to her
Never!
GIORGETTA
Watch out!
Michele appears from the hold.
MICHELE
to Luigi
What? You've not gone yet?
LUIGI
Sir, I was waiting for you,
because I want to say
a few words to you –
to thank you for having kept me.
Then I must ask you, if you can do it
to take me to Rouen and leave me ashore.
MICHELE
At Rouen? Are you insane?
There's nothing but misery there,
you would be no better off.
LUIGI
That may be. So I'll stay.
GIORGETTA
to Michele, who is heading toward the cabin
Where are you going?
MICHELE
To put up the lights.
LUIGI
Good night, sir.
MICHELE
Good night.
He goes inside.
GIORGETTA
Tell me, why did you ask
to be left at Rouen?
LUIGI
Because I can't share you with him.
GIORGETTA
You're right; it's torture.
And I'm a captive,
I feel it more strongly than you,
this chain!
You're right; it’s torture,
and anguish, punishment,
but when you hold me,
my reward is so much greater!
LUIGI
It seems we steal
whatever we can from life!
GIORGETTA
The delight is more intense!
LUIGI
The joy is ruined by pangs of fear -
GIORGETTA
In anxious embrace -
LUIGI
Amid smothered cries,
and kisses that don't end!
GIORGETTA
Sharing soft words -
LUIGI
And kisses that don't end!
GIORGETTA
Vows and promises -
LUIGI
To be alone together -
GIORGETTA
Alone, away, far away!
LUIGI
Alone, far from the rest of the world!
starting
Is it he?
GIORGETTA
No, not yet.
Tell me you'll come back later.
LUIGI
Yes, within the hour.
GIORGETTA
Listen.
Like yesterday I'll leave the gangplank down.
It is I who remove it.
Have you shoes of rope?
LUIGI
Yes. You'll give the same signal?
GIORGETTA
Yes. A lighted match.
How that tiny flame flickered
in the hand I held out!
It seemed it would set afire a star,
that flame of our love,
that star never out of sight!
LUIGI
I want your lips, I want your caresses!
GIORGETTA
Then you too feel that insane desire.
LUIGI
Jealous insanity!
I want to keep you in my embrace
as though you belong to me!
I don't want to suffer any more,
to think that someone else touches you;
and to keep anyone else
from that divine body of yours,
I swear I would not fear
to wield my knife,
and with drops of blood
make you a ring.
Giorgetta restrains Luigi and, frightened, she watches the cabin. Pushed onward by Giorgetta, Luigi flees.
GIORGETTA
passing her hand across her brow
How difficult it is to be happy!
MICHELE
emerging from the cabin with lanterns, now lit
Why haven't you gone to bed?
GIORGETTA
And you?
MICHELE
No, not yet.
GIORGETTA
I think it's good that you kept him.
MICHELE
Who's that?
GIORGETTA
Luigi.
MICHELE
Perhaps I've done badly.
Two men will be enough.
There isn't that much work.
GIORGETTA
You can dispense with Tinca,
he's always drinking.
MICHELE
Drinking calms his grief.
He has a tramp for a wife!
He drinks so he doesn't kill her.
Giorgetta seems nervous and disturbed
What's wrong?
GIORGETTA
All those stories
really don't interest me,
MICHELE
approaching his wife
Why don't you love me any more? Why?
GIORGETTA
coolly
You're wrong; I love you.
You are good and honest.
as though trying to end the conversation
Now let's go to sleep.
MICHELE
glaring at her
You don't sleep!
GIORGETTA
You know why I can't sleep.
Then ‑ in there I can't breathe.
I can't, I can't!
MICHELE
Now the nights are cooler.
Just last year there under that roof
we were three –
there was the cradle of our baby -
GIORGETTA
Our baby! Stop, stop!
MICHELE
You reached out and rocked him
softly, slowly, and then,
on my arm, fell asleep yourself -
GIORGETTA
I beg you, Michele,
don't say any more.
MICHELE
Those were evenings like these,
if a breeze stirred,
I wrapped you together in my cloak
as though in an embrace.
I felt on my shoulders
your blonde head.
I felt your mouth
close to mine.
I was so happy, oh, so happy!
Now it's no longer like that –
it seems my gray hair
is insulting to your youth!
GIORGETTA
Ah! I beg you, Michele,
don't say any more! Ah, no!
MICHELE
Ah, my gray hair
is insulting to your youth!
GIORGETTA
No; relax, Michele,
I'm tired. I can hardly stand. Come -
MICHELE
But you can't sleep!
You know very well you won't sleep.
GIORGETTA
Why do you say that?
MICHELE
I don't know; but I know
that you haven't slept in a long time.
trying to draw Giorgetta to himself
Come closer to me!
Don't you remember other nights,
other skies and other moons?
Why have you closed your heart?
Don't you remember the hours passed away
while this boat carried us across the water?
GIORGETTA
Don't think about it,
Today it's sadness.
MICHELE
Ah! return, return as before,
become mine again, when you loved
me and ardently sought me and kissed me,
when you loved me! Come closer to me!
It's a lovely night!
GIORGETTA
What do you want? We're older.
I am not the same now.
You've changed, too, you're suspicious;
what are you thinking?
In the distance church bells are sounding the hour.
MICHELE
I don't even know myself.
GIORGETTA
Good night, Michele.
I'm collapsing from exhaustion.
MICHELE
Then go ahead; I’ll be there soon.
as Giorgetta enters the cabin
Slut!
Michele hangs the lanterns on posts fixed to the deck.
Two lovers are heard passing by on shore.
TWO LOVERS
Mouth like a fresh rose,
And kisses of dew,
O perfumed lips.
O perfumed evening, it's the moon,
the moon spying on us;
till tomorrow, my love,
tomorrow, my love!
A bugle call is heard from a distant barracks.
MICHELE
cautiously approaching the cabin and straining to listen
Nothing! Silence.
creeping along the wall and peering inside
There she is!
She isn't undressed or sleeping -
She's waiting. Who? What does she wait for?
Who? Who? Perhaps for me to sleep.
Who has changed her?
What wretched shadow is cast between us?
Who's made her stray?
Talpa! Too old. Perhaps Tinca?
No, I don't think so ‑ he drinks.
Who then? Luigi?
No; this same evening
he asked to leave me
and made the request
to go ashore at Rouen!
But who then? Who then? Who could it be?
To pierce the darkness!
And see! To clutch him thus,
between my hands!
And shout at him, so it's you!
Your livid face,
that smiled at my pain! It's you! Appear!
Share with me this chain!
Join yours with my fate
down together into the deepest pit!
Share with me this chain!
Join yours with my fate!
Peace is only in death.
He is crushed, worn. The night is dark. He takes out his pipe and lights it. Within a few moments Luigi, who was waiting ashore for this signal, rushes over the gangplank and leaps onto the boat. Michele sees the shadow, starts, and traps the intruder. Recognizing Luigi, he takes hold of him by the throat.
MICHELE
I've got you!
LUIGI
struggling
Good God! I'm caught!
MICHELE
Don't call!
What are you looking for?
Is it your mistress you want?
LUIGI
It's not so!
MICHELE
You're lying! Confess it!
LUIGI
It's not so!
MICHELE
Is it your mistress you want?
LUIGI
grabbing his knife
Ah! by God!
MICHELE
taking hold of Luigi's arm so the latter drops his knife
Drop that knife!
You're not getting away from me, rascal!
Criminal! Worm!
You wanted to go to Rouen, didn't you?
Dead you'll get there, in the river.
LUIGI
Murderer! Murderer!
MICHELE
Tell me you love her!
Confess! Confess!
LUIGI
Let me go, let me go!
MICHELE
No! Wretch! Wretch!
Confess it, I'll let you go!
LUIGI
Yes -
MICHELE
Repeat it!
LUIGI
Yes ‑ I love her!
MICHELE
Repeat it! Repeat it!
LUIGI
I love her!
MICHELE
Repeat it!
LUIGI
I love her!
MICHELE
Again!
LUIGI
dying
I love her ‑ ah!
His body sags against Michele in the final convulsions of death.
GIORGETTA
inside the cabin
Michele! Michele!
appearing at the cabin door
I'm afraid, Michele
MICHELE
hearing her voice, he wraps his cloak around the dead Luigi and seats himself. His voice is calm.
So I was right;
you're not about to sleep.
GIORGETTA
approaching Michele slowly, looking about anxiously
I'm filled with remorse
for causing you to suffer.
MICHELE
It's nothing; it's your nerves.
GIORGETTA
That's it; you're right.
Tell me I'm forgiven.
seductively
Don't you want me closer?
MICHELE
Where? Inside my cloak?
GIORGETTA
Yes, that close.
Yes. You once said to me,
“Everyone wears a cloak
that sometimes hides happiness,
sometimes something sad” -
MICHELE
And sometimes a crime!
Come to my cloak!
Come! Come!
He opens his cloak, letting the body of Luigi fall at her feet.
GIORGETTA
with a desperate cry, pulling back in terror
Ah!
Michele takes hold of her, forces her to the floor and presses her against the face o fher dead lover.
