Il geloso schernito

Giovanni Pergolesi (1710 - 1736)
Il geloso schernito (Jealousy's a passion that eagerly seeks what suffering settles)
Opera buffa in 3 parts with two sung and one spoken role: Dorina, Masacco and the Narrator.
First performed, 1730.

Dorina has been married to Masacco for some time. Masacco, however, has dreamed up the idea that life alongside a beautful wife is just too easy for his complicated psyche. He believes that the only way to keep his boundless jealousy in check is to put Dorina to the test. And so, while announcing to Dorina that he is off on his travels, he lurks around the house instead, disguised as a stranger, in order to pay court to his wife and test her virtue.

Dorina immediately sees through the trick, but pretends to go along with it in order to lure Masacco into his own trap. She, too, disguises herself - as her own lover - leading to a very confused set of emotions between the two protagonists. But by the end, well, all is resolved as usual.