Mala Vita

by Umberto Giordanao (1867 - 1948).
An opera in three acts.
Based on a play by Salvatore Di Giacomo and Goffredo Zani.
Operatic reduction by Nicola Daspuro.
First performance at Teatro Argentina in Rome on 21 February 1982.

The opera was part of a very successful series of 'verismo' operas presented in Vienna in September 1982. Other operas in that Vienna season included Cavalliera Rusticana, Pagliacci and L'amico Fritz. Although an initial success, the sordidness of the story and the ensuing scandal resulted in few subsequent performances. In 1894, the opera was translated into German and Giordano extensively revised the work even giving it a new name, 'Il Voto'. Under this name it was given in Berlin, Vienna and Graz and even appeared at La Scala Milan in 1897 under that name. The story was substantially changed for that later work and over 30% of the music was newly composed. However, the work presented on 5MBS is the original version.

Act one

The opera is set in a working-class area of Naples around the year 1810. The main character is Vito, a dyer suffering from consumption. After yet another debilitating attack, the local people tell him to pray before the crucifix located in the narrow square. This he does, vowing that to be cured, he will marry a fallen woman - at the time marrying a prostitute was the greatest humiliation which could be visited upon a man. Immediately afterwards, his lover, Amalia, comes along and asks him threateningly about the vow she has been hearing talk of. Meanwhile, the people come out of their homes and Amalia's husband, the coachman Annetiello, arrives drunk. He reminds everyone that soon the celebrations at Piedigrotta will begin and that both rich and poor will be there. He himself is obviously looking forward to having some fun. When everyone moves off, a rose drops at Vito's feet having been thrown by Cristina from a window of the building (a brothel) overlooking the square. Immediately afterwards she comes out to go to the fountain. Vito stops her, asks whether it was she who threw the flower and offers to save her. What he says and his gentleness moves Cristina, who cannot believe what she is hearing. Marco the barber and Annetiello then come along and Annetiello allows himself a few liberties with Cristina. Vito jumps to her defence as his own woman, she throws herself into his arms and swears to be true to him forever.

Act two

At home, Amalia talks to Nunzia the hairdresser about Vito's vow. In desperation because he has abandoned her, Amalia asks to meet Cristina who Nunzia brings there a little later. The duet between the two women is dramatic: Amalia implores Cristina to leave Vito amid tears and threats. However, Cristina is unmoved since she knows that Vito's love will redeem her and she leaves. Vito now comes in and asks Amalia to stop what she is trying to do but when she starts crying and rebuking him, he surrenders to his old love. The two of them embrace while Cristina sees everything from the window.

Act three

The celebration is going on in the square and Vito is among the locals singing a love song while a group of them dance a tarantella. A party goes by on their way to Piedigrotta, headed by Annetiello singing a Neapolitan song. When everyone goes off, Cristina approaches Vito who behaves with indifference towards her and carries on with his dyer's work. Cristina starts crying, at which point Vito admits he is fond of her but he cannot manage to break off his old ties. When Amalia arrives and asks him to come with her to Piedigrotta, Viti follows his lover although Cristina begs him not to. Cristina kneels in desperation before the crucifix. All she can now do is return to the brothel and knock upon the door while in the distance the song can still be heard from Piedigrotta.