"BACKSTAGE" "IN LISBON HARBOUR" " Stop that, the young lady is here!" " That's right, it's a special signal." "What?" "!" "Why don't you two do a duet?" "Her on the piano and you on the foghorn?" "And you!" " Can you read?" "Whose is the trunk?" " It's Miss Martelli's." " And who is that?" " Jesus, it's her over there." "She's the daughter of your boss, have some respect!" "So why is this suitcase on top?" " Where am I supposed to put it?" " Underneath, with hers on top!" " But then the suitcase will get squashed." " It doesn't matter, swap them around." "Another!" "Light another!" "I want to learn how to do it!" "Everyone is waiting for you on board." "Would you like to try?" "Oh, yes!" "The passengers have organised a concert in your honour." " Everyone wants to hear you!" " I want to be left in peace." " You have organised everything on the orders of my father." " Your father..." "Therefore you are to tell everyone on board that I couldn't make it." "No one is to recognise me." "Thank you." " But it's all organised, Miss..." " See what he's doing with the luggage?" " He's putting the suitcase under the trunk." " Yes, out of respect for your trunk!" "But the suitcase is also mine!" "And make him sound the foghorn again, it was ever so funny last time!" "Gentlemen, excuse me for disturbing you again about this concert..." "Close the door!" "That draft is worse than a shot from pistol." "Are we not in agreement?" "I said I'd sing, even if I won't enjoy it." " Unfortunately, the concert..." " What do you mean, "unfortunately"?" "The concert is to be called off." "Miss Martelli couldn't make it." "The concert was organised for her, so if Sir doesn't mind..." "If I don't mind?" "Of course, I'd like nothing more." "Then thank you!" "Good day, Sir." "What do you mean, "nothing more"" "Why do you let them treat you like this?" "Do you let them tell you when you should or shouldn't sing?" "Now where are you going?" "To tell them that when you call the baritone De Sanni for a concert  the concert goes ahead, otherwise they have to pay." " Pay what?" " Insurance." " What insurance?" "I don't know, but we will put it to them and to Miss Martelli." " What does Miss Martelli matter?" " They all do!" "Leave it to the lawyer!" "At the very least we will give them quite a fright!" "It's freezing outside." "If you go out, wear a hat and scarf." "Okay?" "But it would be better if you didn't go out at all." "Just who I was looking for!" "We were speaking about this concert..." "If Miss Martelli couldn't make it..." "Good day, Miss." " There is no reason to laugh, Miss!" " Come on, Auntie!" "When you book the baritone De Sanni for a concert, you had better..." "Not there, please..." "Over there is fine, thanks." "Auntie?" "Auntie?" "Excuse me?" "New York, last November, masked ball at the Metropolitan..." " Me?" " You, there is no doubt." "You are mistaken, I've never been to New York and I don't like masks." "Chopin, Studio in E-Major, the pianist is Maria Stokowska." " Thank you, do you have a programme?" " No, I'm afraid not." "Well done, you must be a connoisseur." "I am a mere appreciator, and one who knows just a little." "To recognise the piece is easy, but to recognise the artist is not!" " Perhaps I am mistaken." " No, you are not." "No?" "Then well done to you." "You must be a musician." " So you know Ms. Stokowska?" " Well, just as an artist." "I have a collection of all her work." "And I listen to her on the radio." "You Poles bring something different to the art of music." "A sacred passion, a profundity, a mystery  qualities that our own artists will never be able to provide." " Do you think so?" " Yes, unfortunately I do." "Just today we have managed to avoid an amateur exhibitionist, a Miss Martelli..." ""Dear Sir, Very well, I give in..."" ""This evening I will take part in the concert." "But not under my name..."" ""The programme is to read:" "The pianist Maria Stokowska..."" ""Are we clear?" "Yours, Diana Martelli."" "Sir, my niece wishes to meet you." "We are to share the same stage, so I wanted to meet you in person." "Sorry, Miss?" "Your friend here has little respect for Italian artists, but I admire them." " Little respect, but..." " You should be quiet." "To speak this way in the company of a woman you don't know is  not nice, but neither is your name, Mr. Parsifal Bernocchio." " What, me?" " Yes, you." "Delighted to meet you, Mr. De Sanni." "Have you ever tried to watch a singer while wearing earplugs?" "You're on in a minute." "What are we going to do about this?" " Should I present you as De Sanni?" " Do not present me at all." "Wonderful, what's her name?" "A Pole." "Look at the programme..." "Maria Stokowska." "Miss Martelli, may I present my friend, Alberto De Sanni." "What?" "Thank him for the flowers?" "I don't think so." "Yes, you played Chopin, but the flowers were for a Polish pianist  a charming one at that." "Ah, that's right." "The lady expresses her regret that you did not want to sing." " And also her remorse." " Remorse?" " Yes." "Her sincere remorse." "She insults him, robs him of success, makes fun of him in front of everyone... .. and what does he do?" "He buys her flowers!" "Remorse?" "Very well!" "Does Miss Martelli think she is the only one who knows comedy?" " Throw those flowers out!" " Do you know much they cost?" "You are to write 3 telegrams: to the King, the Scala and the San Carlo." ""For health reasons, I am forced to cancel my contract..."" " You're giving up singing?" " Me?" "I'm just starting to sing!" "Just hurry up and write those telegrams." "Sending them is a different story, no?" " Good morning Miss, it's you..." " Are you ill?" "Show me your tongue." " De Sanni is breaking all his contracts." " Breaking what?" " His contracts!" "He'll never sing again." " He'll never sing again?" " Never!" "Diana, listen to this!" "Guess what?" "He'll never sing again!" " Now we just need to destroy all his records." " What is it?" "De Sanni will never sing again!" "Send these telegrams out..." "Hold on, boy, give them here!" "Come here." " Is this a joke?" " No, he's gone crazy!" "Seriously!" " Sit down." "Would you like a coffee?" " No, I'm way too nervous!" " But what happened?" " He's been pacing up and down the cabin all night long." ""Those eyes!" "Parsifal, take those eyes away!"" "I asked him: "What eyes?" And he said: "Her eyes!"" " "Do you not see how they laugh?"" " But who does he mean?" "Sit down." "Thank you." "May I?" "There's a draft on the stairs." "He means you, name and surname!" "He says he'll never sing again." ""She's right, I'm ridiculous!"" " He's not ridiculous, Miss..." " But I never laughed at him." " Only at those other two." " That's the reason for the telegrams." "What are the telegrams all about?" "Roma, Milano, Napoli..." "Because... he's gone crazy!" "Oh, he thinks that you might be at any theatre, laughing at him..." " So what?" " So he won't be able to sing." " His throat will dry up, and..." " Who could ever believe such a story." "A story?" "But you don't know him." "When he says "no"..." "Just like last night, he said "no" and that was that." "So that's why these telegrams..." " Then don't send the telegrams." " But you don't know him, Miss..." "Here they come." "I'll start..." "And be sure you read the right lines!" "That's right!" "My career doesn't matter anymore." " But what about the fines?" " They don't matter to me either!" " The telegrams have been sent, anyway." " No, here they are!" " You didn't send them?" " No, and I won't do it!" " Yes..." " Why the stutter?" " If you care so much, you send them!" " Give them to me." " Here you go." " Excuse me, Mr. De Sanni!" " I'll be back in a moment, Miss." "If he keeps shouting like that, he might lose his singing voice!" "I wanted to tell you that from Genoa I am going to Torino and then Varsavia." "I will be in Varsavia for this month, and also the month after that." "From Genoa I am going to Milan, then Pontelagoscuro for 3 months." "Let's tear up these telegrams." "As I've said, don't you think..." " Don't I think?" " Are you not performing in Milan?" " If I'm in Varsavia..." " Who can be sure of that?" "Excuse me." " If I write you a letter from Varsavia?" " You could travel faster than a letter." "If I telephoned you, right before the show?" "How would I be able to hear the telephone over all that noise?" "All that noise in the background." "There is no way, believe me." "Or perhaps there is one way..." " But it is absurd as..." " Finally!" "Even if it is absurd, tell me what it is." " No, you would never accept." " Tell me." "It would be too demanding for both you and me." " Telegram!" " May I help you?" "Nothing, go on." "Then let's look for another way." "If we haven't found one tomorrow  I'll give them back, okay?" " Miss Martelli, goodbye and good luck!" " Thank you, and to you." " Good morning, Miss!" " Goodbye!" " Is your friend still here?" " Yes, he's still here." " Have a nice trip..." " Goodbye!" " And say hello to Tosca for me." " Very well." "Diana!" "Yes, I'm coming!" "I am closing the chapter." " Tell me the absurd way." " Don't worry about it." "Tell me, or I won't give them back." " I wouldn't have thought you capable of blackmail." " Very well..." " You're to be at the San Carlo the day after tomorrow." " The theatre?" "Yes, closed under lock and key in my changing room." "You take care of the rooms." " A Torino telephone book, please." " Ask the porter." "Take this, it will help." " I don't know if he's there." "Who should I say is calling?" " Mr. Dentice." " Silvio Dentice from the Gazette?" " Yes." " A Torino telephone book, please." " Boy, bring a telephone book!" "Sir, my respects!" "Have I aged so much?" "It's De Sanni!" " The baritone, De Sanni!" " Ah, yes." "Please excuse me." " Well?" " They are calling." "I'm so happy to have run into you, because this evening..." "Thanks, but you'll have to excuse me at the moment, I have much to do." "Miss Martelli is on the line." "You may take the call in booth no. 2." " Miss Martelli is in Milan?" " Yes, she got here few hours ago." " Miss Diana Martelli?" " Yes Sir, Diana." " Are the windows secure?" " Yes..." "The trick worked, she's here!" " She's here?" " Yes!" "Now, run to the gallery  and win them over for me!" " Yes." "Let me just make myself look presentable, then I'll go." "Sort everything out with Terenzio." "Give him what he wants for the boys, okay?" "Yes..." "In the front row?" "But usually you prefer the VIP boxes." "If you want to sit in the front row, then that's fine by me." "Anything I can do..." "It is such a pleasant surprise, after all." "I was resigned to waiting another two months." "So, this evening I will pass by and pick you up from the hotel." "Yes..." "Yes, well that's what the flyers say - that he's singing." "I'll say, he has such a ponderous voice  coarse, colourless." "Very breathy, but with little soul." "I've no idea how he'll manage to interpret "Don Giovanni"." "If we were only watching Sawelsky, he is on tomorrow..." "Today "Don Giovanni", tomorrow Sawelsky." "Such nonsense!" "Not much of a competition between baritones, De Sanni against Sawelsky." " They put him up against a colossus." " Better, it will be fun to see him win." " What do you want, an American?" " Yes, please." " Two Americans!" " Hello old man, are you back?" " No, I get back tomorrow!" "Would you like an American?" "Make that three." " Greetings, Great Parsifal." " You're still alive?" " Still alive." " What are you doing in America, then?" " Living the dream!" " Then I should have an American, too!" " Make that four!" " Fashionable ties, just 10 lire!" " Make that five!" "Leave the ties and come to the show." "Guys, you should hear this man's voice." "He's a real cannon!" " Five Americans!" " And nothing for me?" "But of course, make that six!" "To your good health!" "To art!" "Excuse me, I'll be back in a moment." " Look who it is!" " How are you, Terenzio?" " Good, good." " Did you get my postcards?" " You send too many!" " How is our Alberto?" " Very good." "Calls, contracts, deals..." " He sends his regards to you and the boys." " I have quite a group now, you know..." "Distinguished, and they work with such enthusiasm." " They drink more, have other needs..." " Don't worry, I'll have them drink even more." "What I need tonight is a standing ovation, a real..." " Don't worry, tonight I'll be there in person." " It has to be perfect..." "Hey!" "Who made the careers of Tamannio and Caruso?" "These hands should be put in the museum at the Scala!" " "Don Giovanni"?" " Yes, "Don Giovanni"." "Then tell him stretch out that G note in the duet." " Got it." " And then that serenade at the end..." " Don't worry, he's in top form!" " Very good." " Bye!" "After the duet shall we shout that "Bravo!" like last year?" " I would change things up." " Me too." "I'd say: "You are great!", said with enthusiasm..." " You are great!" " Wouldn't "You're a colossus" be better?" " What?" " Colossus." " Colossus?" " Colossus, yes." " Colossus is long, flat, sounds bad." " No, leave it to me." " Very well." " I'll take care of it, okay?" " Okay." " Bye." " Goodbye." " And about the money..." " Don't worry about the money." " We understand one another." " Your word is all I need." " So we were saying, six Americans!" " The gentlemen have ordered..." " To the triumph of this evening!" " Health and glory!" " So, how much am I paying?" " For 22 Americans." "22 Americans?" " We were celebrating, too." " Ah, very good..." " Do you not remember me, Sir?" " No, I'm afraid not." "It's Calogeri, director at "Voices From the Front Row"..." " Ah yes, how's the magazine?" " I quit." "Disagreement with the editor." "Once I left it went to ruin." " Now I am directing with Pernicotti..." " It's a publication with class..." ""Echoes From Behind the Curtain"." "I see, so if you're coming to me then you must want the front page." " Of course, De Sanni deserves it." " Of course, of course." "We wanted to put:" ""Back from his triumph in New York."" "New York, Rio De Janeiro, Chicago, Philadelphia... come and see me tonight." " Then we can settle on a price." " Perhaps we can meet, you know  around lunch-time." "I'm sorry, but we're very busy." "Proposals, contracts, Paris, London..." "Miss Martelli, please." "She's there, she only just hung up the phone." "Sorry?" "De Sanni." "De Sanni!" "Who?" "Put him through." "Hello?" "What?" "De Sanni?" "De Sanni?" "Who can be sure of that?" "I can't hear you over all this noise!" "No, I'm his friend, Parsifal." "De Sanni will be waiting for you this evening in the theatre, as you agreed." "And he reminds you to be punctual, so as to avoid interruptions." "The red curtain will not be raised unless you are in your place." "Such arrogance!" "What time are they picking us up to go to the theatre tonight?" " You think we're going to the theatre tonight?" " Oh, yes!" " Quarter past nine." " Quarter past nine?" " Yes." "He's late by five minute!" "Oh, how funny!" "This is so exciting!" "The usual vanity." "De Sanni isn't ready and the director is furious." " They're all like this." " Such arrogance..." "If he's not on stage in 5 minutes, they might even stop the show." "Excuse me, I'll be right back." " What did she say?" " She said:" ""I'll be right back", but she won't." " What?" " She won't." "Otherwise she would be here already, no?" "Not even a word, please." "Good." "How long should I tell them you will be?" " I'm ready." "Tell them I'm going on now." " Please, Miss." " We are ready, just another minute." " Flowers for the baritone!" "Give them here." " What is it?" " Flowers for you." " Put them over there." " There's a card." " I'll open it later." " Okay." ""For the singer Alberto De Sanni." "His dressing room, at the theatre."" ""Thank you, Diana, for opening this envelope..."" ""The flowers are there to keep you company and, if you like..."" ""... to send you my regards, for the front door is locked..." ""... but the back door is not." " Alberto."" " You are great!" " Bravo!" "Encore!" "Encore!" " Is she still there?" " Who?" " Diana!" "Oh, I don't know." "Go and thank them." " Bravo!" " Encore!" "Encore!" "Where are you going?" "The public calls!" "You should see who's waiting..." " Encore!" " Bravo!" " Look who came to congratulate you." " Sablonsky, of the Polish Opera." " What do you have, chilblain?" " He said that's enough." " What do you mean?" " He went like this." "When they do this, that's because they want more applause." "Come on!" " Sir, the public..." " They still call for you." " Excuse me, Sir." " Excuse me." "I must speak with you." "Are you free this evening after the show?" " Very well, but I must go now." " Thank you..." " Here he is." " Our compliments, Sir!" "What a great success." "Did you hear that applause?" " What a sound!" " What a voice!" "So, I have paid my dues." "You have got your voice back." "The game is over and I am free to go, I imagine?" "Free?" "But of course." "But there are so many people out there." "Just a moment, please." "I'll send them away immediately." " Oh, finally!" " You made us wait!" " You blew a hole in the roof!" " This is how they sing in paradise!" " How do you do it?" " You were a colossus!" " Did you hear what they were shouting in the gallery?" " No." " What were they saying?" " "You are great!"" " We'll see you this evening, then." " We've already spoken to Parsifal." " Alright, that's enough." " Goodbye, gentlemen." "Save your voice." "Well, are you happy with that service?" ""You are great!"" "You can thank me after the show." "Did he tell you that I have a bigger group to provide for now?" ""Echoes From Behind the Curtain" want you on the front page." "They're offering 500 lire, but I can make them pay more." " 500 lire is an insult!" " Mr. Dentice from the Gazette is here." "He's the most important critic working right now." " What's wrong with you?" " Everyone out, and you too!" "Listen to me." "I won't give money to anyone!" "I don't need to pay for applause, I don't owe anyone anything!" " Calm yourself, Mr. De Sanni." " Ah, Mr. Dentice..." "Excuse me, I have much to do." "Please excuse him, he's just tired." "If Mr. Dentice asks questions, I came back just after he left." " Should I throw it or not?" " Did you hear me?" " Yes." "Look down there." "Such a lovely bald head!" "Was that you a moment ago, near De Sanni's dressing room?" " She left as soon as you came back." " Don't be silly, I haven't moved." "Good, because you shouldn't mix with those kind of people." "Are we clear?" "Wait for my signal." "We'll teach him a lesson." "Now go!" "Such a villain!" "Living in an old house has its advantages, you see." "Old keys like this whistle like locomotives!" " What a great voice." " It really is." "Get him off the stage!" "For me he sang very well." "Your opinion is different to that of the public." "Perhaps you should remember that my father owns the newspaper." "Sing, you idiot!" "You rogue!" "Look at that." " And for a couple of whistles." " A couple of whistles?" "!" "I thought I was at the train station." "The cheek of it!" "Cheer up, Parsifal!" "I bring good news." "They arrested him too?" "Though you have to admit, what a voice!" "Yes, what a voice!" "How dare you?" "Singing, shouting, making all this racket!" " Are we in the town square?" " They've were like this outside, too." " Commissioner, I..." " Silence!" " They started in the gallery, singing..." " I must protest!" "Be quiet, please!" "This is the second time I've asked." "People of your condition!" "There's a man shouting in my ear and I cannot protest?" "Young man, please calm down!" "Do you want me to teach you how to speak among people of authority?" " No..." " Come on, let's go." " Who was singing?" " It was I, Commissioner." " What music was it, opera?" " "Ivan the Terrible"." " And what were you singing just now?" " The very same." " Foreign?" " Polish." " I got that right away." "Are you crazy?" "Singing in the gallery?" "In 30 years I've never heard of such a thing." " Baritone, are you?" " Baritone." " By trade?" " By trade." " Dramatic repertoire?" " That's right." " I got that right away." "But a professional singing in the gallery, it's not proper!" " That's what I said!" " You, Sir, are to be quiet!" "You are to speak only when spoken to." "Give me your documents." "And did you know that singing in the street requires a license?" "Anyway, what was it?" "In B-major, C-note?" "Yes, in B-major, but F-note." " F-note?" " Yes, because I'm a baritone." "Ah yes, Of course." "How silly of me." " When you have time!" " Exactly, when I have time!" " Journalist, right?" " Critic." "It's right there." " What does that mean?" "Answer me!" " I'm the music critic for the Gazette!" "Well that explains it!" "The music critic from the Gazette..." "Artists and critics, cats and dogs." "Of course, I don't mean you..." "You know what they're like." "Well, we know it all by now..." " What does it say here?" "Silvio?" " Silvio Dentice!" "Young man, I've had just about enough of this tone!" "And it would be better for you if I didn't know your name at all!" " And how does the lady fit in?" " No idea, she's a friend of his." " Miss Martelli is honouring me..." " If I may  Mr. Dentice." "That is not all." "If you are looking for the whole story  the whole truth..." " If you like I can elaborate!" " Mr. De Sanni, that will do!" " Mr. Dentice, if you please..." "He can elaborate all he likes." "But this is how I fit in, Sir..." "I was at breakfast with my friend Mr. Dentice here  when we were accosted by this man." " Accosted?" "He practically attacked us!" "Mr. Dentice!" "Will you please..." "That's quite enough, Miss." "We have all the facts we need." "I understand completely." "Breakfast, accosted, singing, etc." "Your passport, please." "I also understand that  the professional baritone goes by the name of Alberto De Sanni." "Perfect!" "Because I was at the theatre last night, you know." "Understand?" "It was wonderful." "There's just one thing I can't understand, and won't forgive!" "Even if you did decide to go through with this madness  don't there exist a thousand Italian songs with which you could have sung  out of revenge for last night?" " Certainly." " Well then?" "See, for me the problem of you singing in in the gallery is nothing  when compared to the choice of this particular piece." " Polish!" " Polish." "This fanaticism  this obsession with everything foreign, it's not very honourable." "You're very right, Sir, but I'm afraid the Polish piece was necessary." "The gentleman had to hear me singing the same piece as his great Sawelsky." " Very unfortunate." " Why's that?" " That piece is for those with talent." "Did you hear that?" "He says that I don't know how to sing it." "If you only knew just how far you are from knowing how to sing it!" " So I lack the qualities?" " Yes, all of them." " Specify!" " All of them: the ability, the sensibility, the class, the form...." "Silence!" "I told you that I was at the theatre last night." "I also read your article." "And didn't agree with a word of it!" " This is not important." " Not important?" "Up until the incident Mr. De Sanni was singing very well indeed." " I really hope you're not saying that..." " Not saying what?" "You should know, dear Sir  that one is not born a commissioner." "Four and a half years at the academy." "Harmony, counterpoint, composition, some modest success..." "And ultimately, not much of a career." "A few popular songs." "So don't try to act like a know-it-all around me, because I..." " Do you expect me to sit here and listen to all of this?" " Why not?" "This is our working man's club." "And this is a Steiner baby grand piano that comes directly from my house." "Now, let's just find someone to play it, and we'll see who is right." "Excuse me, I have much to do!" "The first thing you must to is to put yourself in order regarding the laws." "If you decide not to endure this, you won't leave here before midnight." "Commissioner, in order to hurry things along, I can play the piano for you." "All the better!" "There is no time to lose, Miss." "Shall we begin?" " Commissioner?" " Sorry, I'm busy!" " If you would like to take a seat..." " There's a crazy woman here, Sir..." " Then lock her up!" "I'm busy!" " Diana, how did you get in here?" "Miss..." "That's much better!" " What did I tell you?" " Bravo!" " Did you hear that?" "Such a cannon!" " Ah, the voice of ignorance!" "Ignorance?" "Me?" "Is he mad?" " Well, can he sing or not?" " Mr. Dentice won't answer here." "But he'll write that I can sing, one day." "You'll see!" "He'll also write that there is class, colour, tone and sensibility..." "Please, let's not talk about approval and also not mix "tone" with sensibility." " Pop song jargon." " Why?" "Are pop songs not music?" "Do they not have sensibility?" "Can there not exist sincerity, humanity, nobility  in a pop song that wins the hearts and souls of the people?" "Why don't we put it to the test?" "Yes, the probationary matter must be settled, then we'll do the verbal." "Then I choose a pop song to sing!" "I choose yours, Commissioner." "Mine?" "No, no, I wouldn't dream of it!" "Well done!" "She can play it without even having to learn it!" " Well of course!" " The lady is a very talented pianist!" " Shall we begin?" " Oh, yes..." "Thank you, Commissioner." "Finally we can leave!" "Bravo!" "You are great!" "But Auntie, you shouldn't!" "How well he sung!" "I broke it on his head!" "What?" "No, the critic's head!" "You have exacted revenge for us all!" "And take that hand from your face, you look ridiculous!" "My sincere compliments, Sir!" "You really are a great artist!" "Diana, put some cream on his face and the swelling will go down!" "Don't worry about me, I'm having lots of fun!" "Excuse me Miss, do as I do..." " She's a mezzo-soprano!" " Well done!" "Do you think I could sing in the theatre?" "Close all the doors!" "You do everything you can..." "And then..." "What a fool!" "The usual puffed-up idiot..." " Is it very painful?" " No, it's fine, thank you." "Scoundrel!" " At least now he's finished." " Do you think so?" "How could he not be?" "Reported, unemployed..." "Stop at the next taxi rank, please." "Sorry for leaving you like this  but all those lost hours, and so many things to organise..." " Yes, because you leave this evening." " I must return to the hotel." " And the train is at 22:10?" " Yes, I think so." " I suppose you should get back to the office." " No, actually I..." "I wanted to go for breakfast." "Everything I said about us to the commissioner..." " Did you understand?" " Oh, I understood  and I also think that you're doing the right thing in leaving." " Okay." " I say that as a friend." " So can I come and see you off at the hotel this evening?" " As you wish." "The Gazette, get Mr. Mr. Silvio Dentice on the phone." "Enough rehearsals!" "We continue tomorrow." "Everyone here at 8 O'clock." "Mr. Dentice has already called." "So we are in agreement, yes?" "From this evening at midnight until tomorrow evening at 8  you won't be in Milan." " That's right." "Actually, from midnight this evening to midnight tomorrow." " Mr. Dentice isn't at the Gazette." " Try the Grand Hotel." " Are you sure she's still in her room?" " Very sure, Sir." " Please call and remind her that it is almost 10." " Very well." " Telephone for you, Sir." " I'm not here." "Mr. Sablonsky for you in booth 2." "Hello?" "My dear friend, good evening." "You are coming to the theatre tomorrow evening, yes?" "Very good." "We very much hope that you will be there." "My friend Sawelsky says that  in Varsavia he met a wonderful Italian pianist, a friend of yours." "Yes, Miss Martelli, exactly." "My friend wanted Miss Martelli to come to the theatre with you." " He would very much like to see her." " Miss Martelli won't be in Milan." "Yes, she leaves for Varsavia this evening." "Even if I am a friend of hers, I'm afraid it's still impossible." "There are very delicate matters, urgent reasons..." "I, myself, advised her to leave." "That's not possible, the train leaves in 10 minutes." "Actually, I think she may have already left the hotel." "Now excuse me, I must be going." "Goodbye." " Nothing for me?" " No, Miss." "The agency called, they have resold your ticket for Varsavia." " But, no letters, phone calls?" " Nothing, Miss." " And Mr. De Sanni?" " He is not back yet." " What if I'd have suggested that you stay?" " Oh, who knows..." "Look, for the devotion have to you  there is another train that leaves in 3 hours from now." " Mr. Dentice..." "As much as it pains me, I must reveal to you a secret." " I am of age!" " But Miss, you are joking..." "You are kind not to believe me yet it is true, I am of age." "Shall we dance?" "Hey, your ticket!" " What ticket?" " A lottery ticket, what do yo think?" "Your ticket for the train!" "Will you give me your ticket?" "TRAVEL SOAP" " Give it to your son, it's milk chocolate." " Are you kidding?" "I've given you soap, chocolate, isn't that enough?" " The train to Varsavia, please." " Through Chiasso or Brennero?" " The one at a quarter past." " On the old timetable it would  leave at 16 minutes past." " Which platform?" "Quickly!" "So that would be number 448  and it would be leaving from platform 13." "That is, it left from platform 13 four minutes ago." " It's very urgent!" " And your name is Alberto..." " De Sanni." " Address?" " The Grand Hotel." "What a silly face!" "But you're so much fun!" " Well, has it stopped?" " No, it's going down." " Nice to see you again, Miss." " Yes, likewise." " I called you brother in Torino..." " Yes, my brother..." "Oh, poor thing!" "My brother in Torino?" " To ask of the Commissioner that..." " So that's why they let us go!" "Do you know who asked him the favour?" " The young lady." " Diana?" "Ah, the usual!" "No, thank you!" "I can do it." "Mr. De Sanni left a letter for you." " For me?" " Yes, a few hours ago." "A few hours ago?" "Oh, God!" "Excuse me, Miss, I must hurry." "I have a bad feeling about this letter..." "So do you really think I have what it takes to sing on stage?" "What are those voice exercises again?" "I chew those pastilles, too, they're very nice!" " Do you know what they taste of?" " Idiot!" "No!" "Yes!" "Ah, Miss..." " Give me a hand." " What is it?" " This is the last straw!" "You were supposed to call me if Miss Martelli left." " Of course, Sir." " Then why didn't you tell me?" " Because she hasn't left, Sir." " She hasn't left?" "No, she is in the hotel at this moment." " In the lounge area, I believe." " Please excuse me." "Thank you, Sir." "She might be here, but he's out of his mind." "Third degree burns..." "in this case..." "Third degree burns." "The young lady!" " Nothing from Torino?" " Nothing." "Have you seen Mr. De Sanni?" " No, why?" " He was looking for you." "I believe he is in the lounge area." "Miss, the agency just refunded the money for your ticket." " Should I subtract it from your tab?" " No, you can keep it." "You're on form tonight!" ""A serious case of deliriousness, please inform relatives..."" " Prepare the confetti?" " Confetti?" "There is still time for confetti." "She didn't even acknowledge him, she's gone with that other one." " That's logical, he made her wait all afternoon." " So, what now?" "Now he'll probably leave in a hurry." "If he hasn't understood anything  he'll leave in a hurry." "Well?" "You, stay by the elevator." "Bring Mr. Dentice's coat and hat." " What now?" " Now the young lady will go up to his room." " My things!" " Ready for you, Sir." "Good evening." ""Abandoning of train 448 to..."" "To Chiasso." ""Recipient not present on train, sender..."" "Alberto De Sanni." " Deliver it right away." " But Mr. De Sanni just left." "To her, idiot!" "To Miss Martelli!" "Mr. De Sanni, listen..." "Mr. De Sanni?" " What's going on?" " He's dead." "Committed suicide." "Who?" " Committed suicide?" " No, he's just exaggerating!" "He might not even be in agony." "Just watch this..." " No." " Yes." " Did he write?" " Yes, before committing suicide." "Only you can save him." "Me?" "How, tell me?" " Will you save him?" " What can I do?" "Let's not waste any more time!" " You wretched man!" " This isn't the time to argue!" "Listen: "Sawelsky has taken me on as his assistant..."" " Wretched..." " Silence!" "Don't you see?" "If Mr. Dentice finds out that he's as an assistant now, he'll be ruined!" "These Slavic artists have character, my dear friend!" " They're the best of them all!" " Speaking of Sawelsky..." "Just the other day he was in a clinic in Berlin." "A heart attack, and here he is today singing this difficult piece." " When I heard him in Berlin..." " Excuse me." " You are Mr. De Sanni's assistant?" " Exactly." " And why is Mr. De Sanni here?" " He is Mr. Sawelsky's assistant." "I see, you're trying to have me on." "Don't waste my time, please." "See what he's gotten us into?" " I've sent for the usher." " You're not the usher?" "No, I am the usher's assistant." "That is, the assistant's assistant." " May I?" " And who are you?" "I would like to speak with Mr. De Sanni, it's a very urgent matter." " Who are you, please?" " Diana Martelli." " A relative?" " No, I'm..." " Then I'm sorry..." " Can you at least give him something from me?" " I can't, I'm sorry." "Are you friends, relatives?" "Yes, I am the brother, and the young lady here is his wife." "If the young lady is his wife, she has to use to other entrance." "Mr. De Sanni's entire family is here." "They're saying that he's Mr. Sawelsky's assistant." "Assistant?" "No." "Mr. De Sanni isn't here." " Excuse me." "This Miss Martelli..." " You were saying?" "This Miss Martelli, send her to me right away." "This way, Miss Martelli." "I'm sorry that Mr. De Sanni isn't here." " Though you may speak to Mr. Sawelsky." " With Mr. Sawelsky?" "Yes, Mr. De Sanni or Mr. Sawelsky, it's the same thing." " Sorry?" "It's the same thing?" " Yes, for me it's the same." "Thank you." "You call this an orange juice?" "You must be joking!" "The young lady wanted to speak with Mr. De Sanni." "But I thought it better that she speak to you first." "Please excuse me." "The second act is about to begin." "Please, go ahead." "Well, you have taken on Mr. De Sanni as your assistant..." " Yes, yes." " So you know that he is an artist, too." " A baritone." " Yes." "He has sung in the biggest theatres, and had many successes." " No, this I did not now." " Oh, he is a great artist." "Recently, aboard the Victor, he received a rapturous applause." "5, 6, 7 encores!" "The public were calling his name." "Anyway, he is one of the biggest Italian singers working today." "In the theatre they were shouting:" ""You are great!"" "The public, spontaneously screaming:" ""You are great!"" "Very good, I see..." " But why do you tell me these things?" " Because you too are a great artist." " And will have to let him go free." " Free?" "Yes, you will have to cancel his contract." "It was he who wanted the contract." "He begged me for it!" " Who are you, again?" " Me?" "I'm his fiancé." " Fiancé?" " Yes, we are to be married the day after tomorrow." " I don't think so." " What do you mean?" " I don't think he wants to cancel the contract." " Don't listen to him." "He doesn't understand anything, you'll have to make him do it." "Make him do it?" "How?" "And besides, you're not losing much." "He tends to make lots of problems." "An assistant should know how the world works, should he not?" " Of course." " Instead, he is like a child!" "Anyone can take him for a ride, just like that." " Really?" " For example  everyone knows that in order to attract a man, women use jealousy." " Right." " Well he doesn't." "Just today I went with a silly man  just to make him jealous." "You should have seen him..." "Othello!" "Othello in the key of a Baritone." "And he has a bad temper." "Kind and sweet, but an idiot." " A real idiot." " An idiot, bad temper..." "Doesn't know the value of money, women, the world..." " You must really like this man." " Really." " How come?" " My dear Mr. Sawelsky  I can see that you don't know women either." "It's the finale!" "Open up, the horses of Troy are ready!" " Are the horses ready?" " Yes!" " Open the big doors!" " Okay!" "What did he say?" "The horses of Troy?" " How many are there?" "More than one?" " The horses of Troy?" "The horse of Troy!" " Very good!" " Magnificent!" "Thank you, thank you." "I am, I am..." "A fraud!" " Nothing but a fraud!" " But, Miss Martelli!" "No, let her speak." " What are you saying?" "What do you want?" " What am I saying?" "I'm saying that you're a fraud, that it wasn't you singing." "Mr. De Sanni was the one singing, your "assistant"!" "You've bought his voice because you don't have one!" "Miss, what are you saying?" "Please calm down." " What you're saying is absurd!" " Oh, really?" "You're supposed to be a connoisseur and you can't recognise his voice?" "You've lost your head over this man!" "To think of De Sanni while Sawelsky is singing, it's absurd!" "To compare those two names is like comparing sunlight and candlelight." "Young man, are you trying to get me mad?" " Arrest him, Commissioner!" " Poor Mr. Dentice!" "You don't need the sun when you have candles!" "That's enough of this comedy." "Mr. De Sanni, the last laugh, please..." "Take off the beard." "Though Sawelsky is no fraud, he's in a clinic in Berlin." "He sends his kind regards to Mr. Dentice, and hopes that he gets better soon." "Sawelsky!" "Sawelsky!" "Sawelsky!" " So where are we going?" " I thought we might go and see Maria Stokowska..."