L’Arlesiana

An old shepherd Baldassarre, tells a story to l'Innocente (a younger son of Rosa Mamai) about a little goat fighting with a hungry wolf all night long ("Come due tizzi accesi"). At the break of dawn the goat collapses and dies. L'Innocente is slightly developmentally delayed and rumour has it that the child brings good fortune to the household. L'Innocente is neglected by everyone in the family except Baldassarre. Rosa Mamai is worried about her older son, Federico, who is madly in love with a woman from Arles. She asks her brother, Marco, to gather some information about this unknown woman. Vivetta arrives at the farmhouse. She has always loved Federico but she feels hurt knowing of Federico's obsession for l'Arlesiana. As Rosa and Vivetta are talking, she sees L'Innocente up on the edge of the window. Baldassarre pulls the child back, and Rosa shudders, "If anyone should ever fall from that height!" Federico enters, and shortly afterwards, Marco returns with news from Arles. Marco says Rosa has no choice but to consent to the marriage plans. While Baldassarre is at the farmyard, he is approached by Metifio, who asks to speak to Rosa. Metifio tells Rosa that he is l'Arlesiana's lover and the girl's parents are aware of their relationship but rejected him when the prospect of marriage with Federico arose. He shows Rosa and Baldassarre two letters to prove his statements. When Metfio leaves, Federico enters. His mother shows him the letters and asks him to read them. Federico …

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