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The Tinker of Tivoli
Scene One &ndash A tinker's shop on a street in a small Italian
town. Sometime in the past.
As the scene opens, the town tinker Beppe is
being harassed by a throng of freeloaders who seek to procure his "fix-it"
services for free. Annoyed, Beppe hides in his shop and
repeatedly commands them to leave before finally giving in, as usual, to
their persistent begging. Disgusted by this daily ritual, Beppe dreams of an
exciting and carefree life. As they depart, a knock is heard at the door.
Supposing it to be another beggar, Beppe brandishes his flyswatter and
threatens to thrash the intruder only to discover it is Ernesto, the town's
delivery boy. Ernesto has come to give Beppe a ring which the jeweler had
just finished setting for him. He has also come to discuss his deepening
feelings for Beppe's daughter, Nannina, for whom Beppe had purchased the
ring. Ernesto clumsily attempts to broach the subject with him, but a
preoccupied Beppe repeatedly interrupts him, finally dashing out of the shop
to be first in line for the popular fresh pies that the town baker,
Maddalena, has just brought down the street. Ernesto somewhat despondently
relates his feelings alone.
Outside the shop, Maddalena is selling pies to the hungry crowd (pictured
right). There Beppe confronts his nemesis Luigi, who happens to be Ernesto's
father and who also possesses a sweet tooth. As they argue, Maddalena warns
them to behave or risk losing pie privileges. They exit still quarreling
over the last available pie. Nannina's best friends Isabella, Angelina, and
Rosina arrive on the scene to discuss possible romantic developments between
Nannina and Ernesto. Nannina joins them and they nag her to reveal her
feelings until she finally admits to liking the young man. Beppe returns
angrily to his shop, having been forced to settle for half of a pie. As
flies buzz madly around the confection, Beppe grabs his swatter and
miraculously manages to kill seven with one blow. Amazed by his feat, an
exultant Beppe vows to spread the news of his feat throughout the land. As
the scene closes, Nannina's friends enter, revisiting their discussion. They
are joined by Nannina and Ernesto, who looks on separately from a distance.
Presently a crowd of townspeople arrive to hear Beppe's great news. Beppe
enters to recount his heroic exploits and is received by a tumultuous
ovation. Luigi, watching from the sidelines, can only stew in his rage.
Scene Two &ndash Tivoli's town square
As the scene opens, the whole town is buzzing over Beppe's incredible feat
of skill. Three townspeople exaggerate the story, proclaiming Beppe's
trophies to be either lions, tigers or bears. Beppe soaks in the attention
but is suddenly confronted by an angry Luigi who brands him a fake. To prove
himself, Beppe concocts a few simple and amusing tricks'with Luigi as the
butt of the joke-- to wow the crowd. Successful in this, Beppe (and his
admirers) depart in triumph. Nannina then enters, puzzling over Ernesto and
his possible feelings for her. Ernesto appears, surprising them both. He
tries desperately to engage her in conversation, only to remain tongue-tied
as usual. Nannina's friends hopelessly attempt to salvage the situation for
Ernesto as they eavesdrop on the couple. Ernesto and Nannina depart confused
and Nannina's friends are left to ponder the worsening state of affairs.
Maddalena arrives to inject a ray of hope and devise a plan to reunite their
love struck friends. Beppe and Nannina, then Luigi and Ernesto, arrive, as
the two fathers try in vain to console their respective daughter and son,
oblivious to the real reason they are feeling so dejected. Beppe shows
Nannina the ring he purchased for her, and Luigi shows Ernesto a bag of
money he has saved so that Ernesto can start his own business and leave his
menial delivery job. A crowd of Beppe's newly won fans wander by, only to be
confronted by the bitter, humiliated Luigi. Beppe joins the discussion and
Luigi angrily challenges him to prove his wild claim once and for all with
an indisputable demonstration of skill. Beppe, now consumed with arrogance,
brazenly accepts the challenge and offers to wager Nannina's ring against
Luigi's money. The crowd, sensing the seriousness of the challenge reacts in
stunned disbelief.
Scene Three &ndash Tivoli Town Square, the next day
The scene opens with first Nannina, then Ernesto, privately examining their
true feelings and doubts. Nannina's friends arrive to lead her away to what
they hope will be a more successful rendezvous with Ernesto. Maddalena comes
to do the same for the still quite hesitant and insecure young man. All of
the townspeople enter, excited and nervous about the impending showdown. A
supremely confident Beppe appears, sporting the cape and feathered cap of
his new cavalier persona. Beppe questions Luigi about the choice of an
opponent for this demonstration. Luigi responds by offering Beppe a
flyswatter and pointing him toward the town gazebo where a swarm of flies is
hovering around some freshly baked pies. As the crowd snickers, a red-faced
Beppe snatches the swatter and heads for his showdown. With everyone looking
on, Beppe swats madly at the flies, becoming increasing desperate as his
sledge-hammer blows land on everything except their intended target.
Gradually he becomes exhausted and unable to continue, collapsing in a
discouraged heap in front of the shocked crowd. An exultant Luigi then
demands the prize ring from Beppe, which, upon receiving, proceeds to offer
in turn to Ernesto, declaring his son's fortune to be made. A stunned
Ernesto accepts the gift and, with what for him is an unprecedented display
of courage, approaches Nannina to offer it with his proposal of marriage
(pictured right). Nannina, paralyzed in surprise can only stutter as her
friends rush forward to accept on her behalf. As the townspeople voice their
praise of this new found love, Beppe and Luigi-- seeing their personal plans
go awry--launch into a tirade against each other. Having lost all patience
with the squabbling Beppe and Luigi, Maddalena steps in to demand their
acquiescence. Realizing that they are alone, and about to face a permanent
pie embargo, Beppe and Luigi relent as the happy couple unites and love
triumphs.
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