Il Noce di Benevento (The Walnut Tree of Benevento) is a subject very often used in puppet shows. The tree was already the object of a cult dedicated to the god Odin in the times of the Longobards (6th century AD) who hung goat skin to its branches. In the 7th century, Barbato the bishop of Benevento had the tree removed and killed the demon who had been hiding in its roots in the form of a snake. In a legendary tradition, the walnut tree is where the sabbaths of witches and demons are organised. Pietro Piperno wrote about this in Della superstitiosa noce di Benevento : trattato historico in 1640.

This manuscript that dates back to 1824 is stored in the museum and library Casa di Carlo Goldoni (Carlo Goldoni’s House) in Venice. The paper used was made in Venice. In all likelihood, as the various edits suggest, the manuscript was written by the author and already had a list of accessories and several stage directions.

Witches and spirits dance around the walnut tree. Canidio the evil spirit provokes a hurricane in order to gain control of the beautiful Dorilla, Roberto’s wife, who gets lost in the woods and falls asleep. Canidio transfers her spirit into the body of a deer. Martinazzo, the good spirit, challenges Canidio. The servant of Dorilla and Roberto, Arlequin, meets with his master: they see a dreadful deer and want to kill it but Martinazzo warns them that Dorilla is inside. He gives them the opportunity to join her. Arlequin and Roberto discover Dorilla resisting to Canidio’s flirting. Roberto wants to save his wife but he is bewitched just like Arlequin and they both end up paralyzed and mute under the walnut tree. Martinazzo frees them and explains how to kill the deer with a magic arrow. Roberto and Martinazzo free Dorilla, while Arlequin talks to an ugly old lady who promises him that he will be rich if he marries her. He gives in to greed and accepts, but the old lady is actually a demon. Roberto and Martinazzo defeat Canidio but Arlequin is locked in a cage with him. Dorilla reunites with her husband. Martinazzo frees Arlequin and sentences Canidio to live in a dark cave.