L'oro non compra amore

Baron Alberto, a feudal lord, while hunting on one of his estates, tries to seduce Lisetta, daughter of Pasquale, the administrator, who a year earlier had promised her hand to Giorgio. To achieve his aim, he uses a hypocritical schoolmaster who distributes gold purses in his name among the other peasant women. Lisetta, knowing that Dorina and Carlotta have received money, goes herself to the Baron to ask for some help. Alberto gives her abundantly, on condition that she should go to live with him, and the innocent Lisetta accepts the marriage without foreseeing the danger.

At night, the Baron enters Pasquale’s house and flees with Lisetta; but on the way they encounter Giorgio, who, full of jealousy, was venting his grief in a nearby forest. As soon as he recognises Lisetta, Giorgio calls for help, and at his voice the peasants rush in, just as at the Baron’s voice the hunters rush in, with whose help he manages to take Lisetta to his palace.

Giorgio, to see his beloved, goes disguised to Alberto’s house; he finds Lisetta dressed in finery and, while mutual reproaches are exchanged, Pasquale arrives with Cecchino; and immediately they are surprised by the Baron, who threatens them severely for their audacity. Pasquale appeals to the law, while the hypocritical schoolmaster informs the Baron that his creditors have seized his property. The Baron remains thoughtful for a while, and then Pasquale returns with a court order to hand over his daughter. Giorgio and Lisetta, after being reconciled, ask his forgiveness, and Alberto, confused and full of remorse, finally recognises that seduction and gold are not means to win love.¹