Fool, spying the moment to find Nedda alone,
approaches her with a declaration of love, but she haughtily turns from
him, and as he only grows more obtrusive and even tries to embrace her
she seizes a whip and slaps him in the face. Provoked to fury he
swears to {256} avenge himself. Hardly has he turned away when the
peasant Silvio appears on the wall. He is Nedda's lover, and having
seen Canio sitting in the tavern, he entreats her to separate herself
from the husband she never loved and take flight with him. Nedda
hesitates between duty and passion, and at last the latter prevails,
and she sinks into his arms. This love-duet is wonderful in style and
harmony. Tonio unfortunately has spied out the lovers and returns with
Canio. But on perceiving the latter's approach Silvio has leapt over
the wall, his sweetheart's body covering his own person, so that Canio
is unable to recognize his rival; he once more reminds Nedda to be
ready that night and than takes flight. With an inarticulate cry Canio
rushes after him and Nedda falls on her knees to pray for her lover's
escape, while Tonio the Fool triumphs over her misery. The husband
however returns defeated; panting he claims the lover's name, and
Nedda's lips remaining sealed, he is about to stab his wife, when Beppo
the Harlequin intervenes, and, wrenching the dagger from his
unfortunate master's hands intimates, that it is time to prepare for
the play. While Nedda retires, Canio breaks out into a bitter wail of
his hard lot, which compels him to take part in the farce, which for
him is bitter reality. With this air the tragic height of the opera is
reached.

In the second act the spectators throng before the small stage, each of
them eager to get the best seat. Nedda appears, dressed as Colombine,
{257} and while she is collecting the money, she finds time to warn
Silvio of her husband's wrath. The curtain opens, and Nedda is seen
alone on the stage, listening to the sentimental songs of Arlequin, her
lover in the play. Before she has given him the sign to enter, Tonio,
in the play called Taddeo the Fool enters, bringing the food which his
mistress has ordered for herself and Arlequin. Just as it really
happened in the morning, the poor Fool now makes love to her in play;
but when scornfully repulsed he humbly retires, swearing to the
goodness and pureness of his lady-love. Arlequin entering through the
window, the two begin to dine merrily, but Taddeo r