Le vergini: commedia in quattro atti

In a lively Milanese drawing‑room, the matriarch Delfina juggles the demands of her growing household while entertaining a parade of acquaintances, old friends, and curious newcomers. The scene crackles with witty repartee as Vercellini, a weary visitor, navigates the bustling chatter of Delfina’s daughters—particularly the mischievous Ninì, who flits in half‑dressed, searching for a missing comb. The arrival of the charming but slightly awkward Vittorio Olgiati and his scholarly friend, Dr. Corrado Cantoni, adds a layer of polite intrigue, as they attempt to win favor with the family through gifts and flattery.

Amid the clinking of tea cups and the soft glow of lamps, the play gently exposes the tensions between tradition and the youthful desire for independence. Delfina’s frantic attempts to arrange suitable marriages for her daughters clash humorously with the girls’ own spirited ambitions. This first act sets the stage for a sparkling comedy of manners, where social expectations, flirtations, and familial affection intertwine in a portrait of turn‑of‑the‑century Milan.