The Secret Marriage (2004)

We are in the household of Geronimo, a wealthy merchant who lives on the island of Ischia. He has two daughters, Elisetta and Carolina, and a sister, Fidalma, who runs the household. He also has a young secretary, Paolino, who is secretly married to the younger daughter, Carolina.

Paolino is working to arrange a marriage contract between Elisetta and his patron, Lord Robinson, who lives in nearby Naples, hoping that as soon as the older daughter is well married, his marriage to the younger one will be acceptable to her father. The impecunious young Count is tempted by Elisetta’s substantial dowry, and Geronimo is thrilled to think that his daughter will be a Countess. Fidalma confesses to Carolina that she too is in love. Secretly, she has her eye on Paolino.

When the Count arrives, he is attracted to Carolina and is disappointed to find that she is not the one who had been offered to him. He tells Paolino that he will be content with a smaller dowry and sends him off to arrange the match. Carolina doesn’t dare tell the Count that she is married. She tries to convince him she has no desire or qualification to be a Countess, but he continues to pursue her. Elisetta accuses them both of betraying her, and the commotion attracts Fidalma, who joins Carolina in trying to calm Elisetta. Everyone tries at once to explain his or her feelings to the confused and exasperated Geronimo.

Geronimo insists that the Count must honor his contract and marry Elisetta, but the Count refuses. When he offers to accept a small dowry with Carolina’s hand instead, Geronimo is delighted to save face and money—as long as Elisetta agrees.

Paolino is distraught and throws himself on Fidalma’s mercy, but is stunned to find that she hopes to marry him; he faints. Finding Fidalma’s arms wrapped around her husband, Carolina thinks she has been betrayed, but Paolino promises that they will elope that night and take refuge in the house of a relative.

The Count tells Elisetta all his bad habits and physical defects, hoping she’ll reject him, but she stands firm—and he finally confesses that he can’t abide her. Geronimo can’t persuade her either. Fidalma suggests sending Carolina to a convent, and Geronimo agrees. Carolina is broken-hearted and tries to confess her predicament to the Count, but they are interrupted by her sister, her aunt, and her father, who are gleeful at having caught them together, and Geronimo sends Paolino off with a letter to the Mother Superior.

After a brilliant midnight finale, Paolino and Carolina finally confess they have been married for two months. Geronimo and Fidalma are furious, but the Count and Elisetta advise them to forgive the newlyweds, adding that they themselves will marry after all.