(), translated in English as Brawling in Chioggia, is a play by the Italian playwright Carlo Goldoni, first performed at the in Venice in January 1762. It deals with the comic struggles between two groups of fishermen in the lagoon-mouth village of Chioggia brought on by the love affairs of the younger generation. Written in Venetian, the comedy is intensified by the presence of a hapless young Venetian official, who is helpless to enforce order on the sly inhabitants he is supposed to keep under control.
In modern times, the play was revived at the in 1962, in a production by Giorgio Strehler emphasizing the humanity and realism of Goldoni's script over the conventionally farcical elements. In 1966, the production was filmed for Italian television.
A concert overture based on the play was composed by Leone Sinigaglia in 1907; it was a favorite of Arturo Toscanini.David Ewen, Encyclopedia of Concert Music. New York; Hill and Wang, 1959. An operatic version by Franco Leoni also exists.Kuhn, Laura (ed). "Leoni, Franco". Baker's Biographical Dictionary of Musicians, Schirmer Reference, 2001, retrieved 18 June 2010 (requires subscription)
Roles Master Toni (Antonio), owner of a fishing boat Madam Pasqua, wife of Master Toni Lucietta, young girl, sister of Master Toni Titta-Nane (Giambattista), young fisherman Beppe (Giuseppe), younger brother of Master Toni Master Fortunato, fisherman Madam Libera, wife of Master Fortunato Orsetta (Orsolina), younger sister of Madam Libera Checca (Francesca), another younger sister of Madam Libera Master Vincenzo, fisherman Toffolo (Cristoforo), boat owner Isidoro, Adjunct of the Court Chancellor The Court Bailiff Canocchia, young man who sells pumpkin Fishermen on Master Toni's boat Servant of the Adjunct
Plot While Toni and his men are still fishing, the women (Pasqua, Lucietta; Libera, Orsetta, and Checca) are sitting outside their houses talking. Toffolo, another boat owner, comes by and flirts with Lucietta (who is actually engaged to Titta-Nane), giving her some roast pumpkin, thereby exciting the jealousy of Checca. The men (Toni, Beppe and Titta-Nane) all get involved after they arrive and a fight starts with Toffolo's group. This is broken up by Vicenzo and his soldiers. The different sets of jealous Chioggia lovers quarrel amongst themselves, and Toffolo complains to the officials. The Adjunct Isidoro is sent to try to sort everything out. Eventually there is a happy ending and peace is restored. Lucietta marries Titta-Nane, Orsetta marries Beppe and Checca is married to Toffolo.
References
External links Text in Italian/Venetian, retrieved 15 January 2010 Conversazioni Goldoniane – Le Baruffe Chiozzotte