A moneylender nicknamed “'a Sberressa” (the policewoman) insults an old man and another poor man who cannot repay their debts. Her partner Nirone helps her and smacks every defaulting debtor. The Sberressa even forces one of the debtors, Rosenella, to give her money she had saved on the side to pay for medicine for her dying mother. These last abuses of power prompt two debtors to ask for Nicolino Iossa’s help. Nicolina does not hesitate and helps the poor victims of the moneylender. As punishment, he smacks the Sberressa and Nirone and forces them to give Rosenella her money back.

Rod and string marionette

Not specified

Perna Ciro

Printed

Wear and tear

Abuse

Protection

Poverty

Violence

Punishment

Battered woman

Cycle of performances

Realist

Dramatic

Neapolitan

Moneylander

Old man

Old woman

Thug

Debtor

Commoner (female)

Aside

Slaps

Aria

Echoing lines

Shouts of acclamation in several voices

'E sorde co 'nteresse

Money with interests

The Devil Alfredo is in love with Colombine and wants to marry her, but he has cold hands. Arlequin is supposed to help him solve his problem. Before entering the puppet booth, the puppeteer informs the audience that, while tidying up his puppets, he found among them the puppet of a little rabbit, an abandoned orphan. So as not to leave it alone, he takes it with him on tour, placing it in a basket at the entrance to the puppet theatre, which is the devil's house. When the curtain opens, Colombina discovers the foundling: how will she hide it and protect it from the Devil? Meanwhile, the devil decides that to get rid of his cold hands, he must buy a pair of rabbit fur gloves.... Despite his attempts to harm Ginetto, the devil is ultimately defeated and transformed into an onion.

Glove-puppet

All audiences

Brunello Gigio

Italy

Mogliano Veneto

Childhood

Devil

Tenderness

House

Rabbit

Orphan

Foundling

Comical

Humorous

Italian

Arlecchino

Harlequin

Colombina

Colombine

Metamorphosis

Comical regional accent

Talking animal

Avista

Surprise effect

Silent play

Un trovatello a casa del diavolo

An orphan in the devil's house

To please Teresina, Pulcinella promised never to fight again, so he threw his stick at the moon and his mask turned blue. However, the peasants' situation worsens because Pulcinella no longer defends them against the devil Belzebù, who holds them to ransom for the benefit of Death. In a dreamlike scene, various Pulcinellas pop out of Pulcinella's head and make him think. Finally, Pulcinella decides to go to the Moon, riding on the dog Chantal, to take back his stick and fight the "Red Harvester", i.e. Death.