
In the opening act of this four‑part drama, we step into the modest salon of Maurizio Dorini, a well‑to‑do bachelor whose household runs with clockwork precision. His attentive servant Decio and the shy, bright‑eyed Olghina, a young woman newly arrived to tend the home, exchange polite banter over coffee, butter, and the strict daily routine that governs the house. Their interactions reveal a world of subtle power plays, where even the simple act of opening a window can become a matter of health and propriety.
Behind the courteous chatter, the play begins to probe the expectations placed on women and the uneasy balance between duty and desire. As Olghina navigates the careful attentions of Maurizio and the watchful eyes of Decio, the audience senses an undercurrent of longing and the looming question of what motherhood might demand in a society that treats it as a bitter fruit. The stage is set for a poignant exploration of family, honor, and the personal sacrifices that lie ahead.
Language
it
Duration
~2 hours (128K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Carlo Traverso, Barbara Magni and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)
Release date
2013-07-20
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1861–1943
An important voice in Italian theater, this Neapolitan dramatist built a wide audience with plays that mixed sharp social observation, emotion, and stagecraft. His career was celebrated across Europe, and his public opposition to fascism later gave his life story an added edge.
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