Polichinelle has enlisted as a soldier for six years. After arriving at the camp of the French army, outside Kehl, he is frightened and wants to go back to Paris. Sentenced to be hanged for deserting, he is pardoned because the garrison of the fortress has just surrendered.

Rod and string marionette

Not specified

Carolet Denis

France

Paris

Printed

Army

Deserter

Fear

Death penalty

Antimilitarism

Comical

Manuscrit of La Prise du fort de Kehl (Bibliothèque nationale de France, Ms. fr. 9294)

French

Polichinelle

Sergeant

Drum

Trumpet (military man/woman)

General

Judge

Hanging scene

Final song

La Prise du fort de Kehl

The Capture of the fortress of Kehl

Pulcinella is in love with Colombina, but her brother – Coviello – opposes their marriage. The two men fight by striking each other with a stick then with two long swords. Colombina laments her brother’s death but keeps on loving Pulcinella. But Pulcinella also kills Capural Fasulo (Corporal Bean) – a soldier who asked him to explain his murder. He is then arrested by two policemen, sentenced to death and hanged.

Glove-puppet

All audiences

Italy

Naples

Printed summary

Love

Murder

Patriarchy (sociology)

Brother

Dramatic

Le bagattelle, illustration from the article "I teatri. Gli spettacoli popolari - le bagattelle" published in 1853