Lola and Turiddu once were sweethearts, but when Turiddu went to do his military service she married the local carrier Alfio, who made good money with his horse and cart. When Turiddu found out on his return, he wanted to make Lola jealous by starting a casual affair with Santuzza, a more homely girl than Lola, but genuinely in love with him.
The old passion breaks out again, though, and embedded in the prelude Turiddu is heard serenading Lola before dawn as he leaves her house, where he has spent the night with her as Alfio is conveniently away on business (Siciliana: O Lola ch'hai di latti la cammisa).

Santuzza goes to see Turiddu's mother, Lucia, who keeps a tavern in the village. Lucia is under the impression that Turiddu has gone to a nearby town to fetch some wine and is startled to learn from Santuzza that her son was seen in the village that very morning. Alfio returns (Il cavallo scalpita), and he too hints that Turiddu was seen sneaking round his cottage. Mamma Lucia invites Santuzza into the house, but she refuses, saying that in her dishonoured state she cannot enter, and neither can she join the other villagers who are at this moment making their way to church for the Easter service. She pours out her frustration and grief to Turiddu's mother (Romanza: Voi lo sapete, o mamma).
Mamma Lucia leaves for the church and Turiddu saunters in, his night with Lola still in his thoughts, and he is most surprised and annoyed to find Santuzza there, very upset and in turn attacking him and pleading with him (Scena: Ti qui, Santuzza?). Turiddu is not a cad, but neither is he a gentleman - in a way he feels sorry for her, and sorry for what he has done to her. But he is so preoccupied with his secret passion for Lola that he gets more and more quarrelsome towards Santuzza. Suddenly, Lola appears on the scene (Stornello: Fior di giaggiolo), taunting Santuzza about not going to church - she well knows the reason why - and when she leaves, Turiddu would rather follow her, but Santuzza begs him to stay to talk things out (Duet: Ah, lo vedi, che hai tu detto?). He feels so tied down and angry that he finally knocks her to the ground to make his escape.

As he makes his way across the village square under Santuzza's curses Alfio appears, and Santuzza, not caring for now what effect her words will have, opens his eyes about Lola's illicit affair with Turiddu. Alfio flies into a rage and swears that he will avenge her, and himself (Duet: Oh! il Signore vi manda). Santuzza suddenly realizes what is going to happen, but it is too late to stop the inevitable - the code of honour requires Turiddu's blood to be shed.
After the church service, Turiddu invites all the villagers to a glass of wine. He is glowing, toasting Lola with a drinking song (Brindisi: Viva il vino spumeggiante). He offers some wine to Alfio, unaware that the man has found out about him and Lola. When the glass is refused in no uncertain terms he knows that he must accept Alfio's challenge, which he does according to the local custom by biting Alfio's ear as the two men embrace prior to the fight. Turiddu expresses his remorse to Alfio (Compar Alfio! Lo so che il torto è mio), and his sorrow about what will happen to Santuzza should he be killed, but he is ready to accept his fate. The villagers, who have witnessed this scene, disperse in expectant silence.
Rushing into the tavern, he asks his unsuspecting mother for her blessing and bids her to take care of Santuzza (Mamma, quel vino è generoso). Mamma Lucia is alarmed when he runs out towards the fields at the back of the village. Santuzza enters and throws her arms around Lucia's neck, as excited voices are heard from afar and a woman screams that Turiddu has been killed.

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I PAGLIACCI
by Ruggero Leoncavallo

A troupe of strolling players arrives in the Sicilian village of Calabria to perform a comic play. Having drummed up support for the production amongst the townsfolk, Canio retires to the tavern for a drink while Tonio takes advantage of Canio's absence to declare his love for Nedda. She firmly rejects his advances and is forced to defend herself with a whip when he tries to kiss her. Nedda is in love with Silvio who has persuaded her to elope with him after the play that night. However, Tonio overhears their declarations of love and, seeking revenge on Nedda, informs Canio of her betrayal. Canio returns too late to catch her lover but, threatening her with a knife, demands to know his name. She refuses and he is only prevented from carrying out his threats by Peppe who disarms him and persuades them all to get ready for the performance.

At first the play exactly mirrors events to date - Taddeo's professions of love for Columbine are rejected in favour of Harlequin's and when Pagliaccio discovers she has a lover he demands that she confess his name. It soon becomes clear, however, that Canio is referring to Nedda's lover in reality and is no longer acting the part of Pagliaccio. When she declares that she will never divulge his name, Canio, in a jealous rage, lunges at her with a knife and strikes her down. As she collapses, she calls for Silvio thereby identifying her lover. As he rushes to her side, he too is fatally wounded by Canio, and the "comedy" comes abruptly to a close amid much confusion.