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The Chioggian Brawls
(Le baruffe chiozzotte)
Carlo Goldoni 1762.
Comedy. Goldoni draws upon his youthful experience as a bishop's assistant in Chioggia to present a rollicking account of life and love in the Adriatic fishing town.
As
Lucietta sits making lace before her door in the company of two neighbours,
Orsetta and Checca, she catches the eye of Toffolo, a foolish young boatman.
The latter treats both Lucietta and Orsetta to slices of roast pumpkin,
but Checca, piqued at being asked last, refuses his offer. The fishing
smack bearing Lucietta's betrothed, Titta-Nane, and Orsetta's betrothed,
Beppo, returns, and both men, furious to learn of Toffolo's attempt at
flirtation, decide to teach the young dandy a lesson. Soon a good part
of the town is involved in the quarrels. Toffolo lodges a complaint with
the Bishop, and all the participants are brought into court. The
assistant puts everything right, and a celebration follows during which
Toffolo's betrothal to Checca is announced.