Carlo Goldoni’s Le smanie per la villeggiatura: plot of the first comedy of the trilogy by the Venetian author, centered on vacations.
This comedy by Carlo Goldoni is the first of a trilogy that the author dedicated to the theme of holidays and which includes: The cravings for holidays , The adventures of holidays and The return from holidays .
It was first performed in 1756.
The action takes place over the course of a day, in Livorno, in the homes of Leonardo and Filippo, representatives of a bourgeois class that wants to compete with the nobles and the rich.
The first act opens with the frenetic preparations at Leonardo’s house . The departure is scheduled for the same evening, but his sister Vittoria protests because her “mariage”, the latest fashion dress, will not be ready in time. Their guest in the house of Montenero will also be their friend Ferdinando, a freeloader and gossip, but sought after in holiday homes because he is good company.
The two brothers will leave together with Mr. Filippo and his daughter Giacinta, with whom Leonardo is in love. But Filippo also invites the young Guglielmo on holiday , who is also interested in Giacinta . Brigida , the servant, warns her mistress that Leonardo will not be happy with that guest, but the young woman is convinced that it is better to accustom him from the start to have trust and to grant her his freedom.
THE HOLIDAY DESIRE, PLOT
Leonardo, knowing that Guglielmo will go with his beloved, decides not to leave, has the servants unpack, has the goods taken on credit returned and provokes the anger of his sister who had finally received her dress. Vittoria , rather than give up the holiday, will leave with a cousin.
Leonardo asks for help from old Fulgenzio who convinces Filippo not to bring Guglielmo with them because, having a daughter to marry, it would be an unseemly action. But Giacinta, accustomed to getting anything from her father, convinces him that it would be worse to cancel the invitation.
Leonardo, now sure that Guglielmo will not leave, resumes preparations and sends Fulgenzio to ask for Giacinta’s hand in marriage. Filippo agrees, but does not know how to get rid of Guglielmo.
When Leonardo discovers that his rival is ready to leave, he furiously confronts Fulgenzio and Filippo. But Giacinta, with clever words, manages to convince her fiancé, arguing that even though she loves him, she does not want to be suspected and ordered around. Therefore, if he wants to marry her, he must trust her and accept Guglielmo’s company. Thus the marriage contract is drawn up and they finally leave for their vacation
