OPERA TRANSLATED
 

🎭 Cavalleria Rusticana – Complete Easy English Translation
Prelude – Turiddu’s Song (offstage)
Turiddu:
“O Lola, your blouse is white as milk,
your face shines brighter than a rose.
When I returned from the army,
I found you already married to Alfio, the carter.
Yet my heart still burns for you.”

Scene 1 –Easter Morning, in front of Mamma Lucia’s tavern
(Villagers enter, dressed for church. They exchange greetings and go inside the church.)

Chorus of Villagers:
“Good morning! Happy Easter!
The Lord has risen today!”
(They enter the church. Santuzza approaches Lucia, looking anxious.)
Santuzza:
“Mother Lucia, I must speak with you.
Where is Turiddu? I cannot find him.”
Mamma Lucia:
“He went early this morning
to Francofonte, to buy wine.”
Santuzza (sadly):
“No, it’s not true. He was seen in the village...
He was with Lola.”
Mamma Lucia:
“Dear God, on Easter morning...
I cannot hear more of this.”
(She tries to go into the church, but Santuzza stops her.)
Santuzza (desperate):
“Don’t go! I am excommunicated...
I cannot enter. Stay and listen to me!”


Scene 2 – Santuzza and Turiddu

(Turiddu arrives. Lucia goes inside, leaving them alone.)
Santuzza:
“Turiddu, where were you?
Why do you avoid me?
Don’t you love me anymore?”
Turiddu (coldly):
“I went to the tavern... that’s all.
Don’t torment me with your jealousy.”
Santuzza (pleading):
“No, you’re lying! You were with Lola.
Do you not remember your promises to me?
I have given you my honor, my heart...
And now you betray me!”
Turiddu (angrily):
“Be silent, or I’ll lose patience!
Take care, Santuzza!”
Santuzza (desperate):
“I beg you... do not leave me for her!
Have mercy!”
Turiddu (violently):
“Enough! Leave me alone!”
(He pushes her away and runs off. Santuzza collapses in despair.)


Scene 3 – Santuzza and Alfio
(Alfio, Lola’s husband, enters cheerfully.)

Alfio:
“What a beautiful Easter morning!
Greetings, Mamma Lucia!”
(He doesn’t see Santuzza at first. She stops him.)
Santuzza:
“Alfio... I must tell you something.
Your wife... she betrays you.
She loves Turiddu!”
Alfio (stunned, then furious):
“What are you saying? My wife... with him?
If it is true, I will have revenge.”
Santuzza (desperate):
“I should not have spoken... but my heart is breaking.
Forgive me.”
Alfio (grimly):
“Thank you, Santuzza.
Now leave me. I know what I must do.”

Scene 4 – The Toast
(In the tavern, villagers and Turiddu drink and sing. Alfio enters.)
Turiddu (raising his glass):

“To your health, Alfio! A toast!”
Alfio (refusing):
“No! My glass cannot touch yours.
You dishonored my house,
and I spit on your wine!”
(The villagers are shocked. Silence falls.)
Turiddu (quietly, with grim resolve):
“You know what must happen.
We will meet outside the village.”
(They embrace formally — the Sicilian way of sealing a duel to the death. Alfio bites Turiddu’s ear as a sign of challenge. Turiddu trembles, but accepts.)


Scene 5 – Farewell
(The tavern empties. Turiddu remains with his mother, Mamma Lucia.)
Turiddu (emotional):

“Mother... listen.
If I do not return...
be like a mother to Santuzza,
she who has suffered so much because of me.
Give her your love... and bless me.”
(He embraces her one last time and rushes out. Lucia senses tragedy but cannot stop him.)


Finale
(Offstage, shouts are heard. A cry rises from the villagers.)
Voices (offstage):


“Turiddu has been killed!
Turiddu is dead!”
(Mamma Lucia screams and collapses. Santuzza faints. The villagers fall silent in horror.)
Curtain.