Ottavio worries about the health of his uncle Geronte: he is hoping to inherit from him and to marry the young Isabella. Geronte asks Ottavio if he knows Eugenia’s daughter, Isabella, but he only asks to let him know that he is planning on marrying her. Eugenia and her daughter arrive, but Isabella does not want to marry Geronte and have to bear his children. Ottavio asks Eugenia to honour the contract between them and to terminate the one with Geronte. They do so, provided that Ottavio is effectively designated as Geronte’s heir. Two doctors, Pantalone and Arlecchino, arrive to give their opinion on Geronte’s health, and to prescribe the best medicine. They both argue and accidentally drop Geronte. Meanwhile, Facanapa and Ottavio are waiting for the lawyers when Lisetta, the maid, rushes in to ask for help, and tell them that Geronte is dead. Facanapa wants to convince everyone that Geronte is still alive: he dresses up and replaces him to sign the will in front of the lawyers. As Geronte, he appoints Ottavio as his heir and leaves different bequests to Lisetta and Facanapa (himself). But Geronte regains consciousness. The lawyers come back and read the will, which is contested by Geronte. When faced with proof of the fraud, Facanapa and Ottavio ask for forgiveness. Geronte forgives them, confirms the will and agrees to Isabella and Ottavio’s wedding.

String marionette

All audiences

Italy

Printed

Last will

Inheritance

Wedding

Love

Swindling

Comical

Il testamento di Facanapa (1908)

Italian

Il morto risuscitato

Old man

Uncle

Géronte

Nephew

Young man

Lover

Ottavio

Servant

Facanapa

Mother

Young woman

Isabella

Notary

Physician

Arlecchino

Pantaloon

Brighella

Maid

Aside

Macaronic Latin

Blow-with-a-stick

Disguised character (false identity)

Fake death

Resurrected character

Il testamento di Facanapa

Facanapa's will