Opera Plots I - MDC Faculty Home Pages

establish his identity. When the Carnival is at length at its height, and the lovers meet on the
Piazzo di Colonna, as arranged, they are surprised by Fieramosca and his servant, who have
donned similar dresses; and during the struggle which ensues, Cellini stabs the servant, for which
act he is set upon by the crowd, who are about to hang him, when three cannon shots announce
that Ash Wednesday has commenced, and during the immediate extinguishing of all lights which
ensues Cellini is able to escape. He reaches his workshop, where he is presently joined by Teresa,
whom he joyfully embraces. Whilst they are arranging a plan to elope to Florence, old Balducci
enters, with the undesired suitor, Fieramosca, whom he commands his daughter to accept as her
husband, and return to her home. This scene is interrupted by a visit from Cardinal Salviati, who
sternly reminds Cellini that his promised contract with the Pope has not been fulfilled, and
threatens him with dire penalties for his misdeed. Cellini is ashamed of his carelessness and
neglect; and upon the Cardinal announcing that the work shall be finished by another hand, he
passionately declares that he will destroy it ere it shall be interfered with. He is about to carry out
his threat, when the Cardinal, not wishing so great an art treasure to be lost to the world, makes a
bargain with him he is to finish the casting of the statue in an hour's time, when he shall receive as
reward the Pope's pardon for his breach of contract and the hand of the fair Teresa; but should he
fail to accomplish his task he must be prepared to die. Cellini agrees to the terms, and sets to work
in feverish haste to complete the casting of the Perseus, using up all his other art treasures of silver
and gold in the melting-pot as he proceeds; and all join their efforts to his. When at last the hour is
over the work is completed, the mould is broken, and as the exquisite Perseus is revealed all bow
reverentially arranged, they are surprised by Fieramosca and his servant, who have donned similar
dresses; and during the struggle which ensues, Cellini stabs the servant, for which act he is set
upon by the crowd, who are about to hang him, when three cannon shots announce that Ash
Wednesday has commenced, and during the immediate extinguishing of all lights which ensues
Cellini is able to escape. He reaches his workshop, where he is presently joined by Teresa, whom
he joyfully embraces. Whilst they are arranging a plan to elope to Florence, old Balducci enters,
with the undesired suitor, Fieramosca, whom he commands his daughter to accept as her husband,
and return to her home. This scene is interrupted by a visit from Cardinal Salviati, who sternly
reminds Cellini that his promised contract with the Pope has not been fulfilled, and threatens him
with dire penalties for his misdeed. Cellini is ashamed of his carelessness and neglect; and upon
the Cardinal announcing that the work shall be finished by another hand, he passionately declares
that he will destroy it ere it shall be interfered with. He is about to carry out his threat, when the
Cardinal, not wish-ing so great an art treasure to be lost to the world, makes a bargain with him he
is to finish the casting of the statue in an hour's time, when he shall receive as reward the Pope's
pardon for his breach of contract and the hand of the fair Teresa; but should he fail to accomplish
his task he must be prepared to die. Cellini agrees to the terms, and sets to work in feverish haste
to complete the casting of the Perseus, using up all his other art treasures of silver and gold in the
melting-pot as he proceeds; and all join their efforts to his. When at last the hour is over the work
is completed, the mould is broken, and as the exquisite Perseus is revealed all bow reverentially
before the mighty work of genius. Cellini thus obtains his full pardon; and old Balducci, overcome
by the grandeur before him, now gladly places his daughter's hand in that of the elated artist and
bestows his blessing upon the happy pair.
19. CARMEN