The Secret of Suzanne (1981)

The opera takes place at the turn of the century

Count Gil bursts into his elegant Piedmontese townhouse in a state of agitation. He is almost sure that he has spied his. wife Suzanne out on the street alone- in the Italy of his day (and even now in some parts), respectable women did not walk the streets alone, even in the day- time- yet when he looks around, she is seated at the piano in the parlor In fact, she just slipped in before him; she is hiding a secret from him, but it is not the secret he thinks. Catching a whiff of cigarette smoke, which he detests, Gil cannot help wondering if perhaps some seducer has already captured the attentions of his bride of one month. He questions his mute servant, Sante, but his loyalties lie with his mistress, so he guards her secret.

The count’s jealousy gets the better of him. He questions her about going out alone, but she cleverly reprimands him in turn for even doubting her fidelity for an instant. Repenting of his unworthy thoughts, the count rhapsodizes about their love and is about to embrace her when he smells cigarette smoke on her clothes. He now forces her to admit that she’s hiding something; she acknowledges an uncontrollable “vice… a desire” that keeps her from getting lonely while he is enjoying himself at his club, and though not saying what vice, she insists he should not be so concerned. Surely many wives do it. Losing his temper, he smashes everything in sight and overturns the furniture, while she runs into her room weeping, perplexed.

Sante attempts to straighten up the room. After a while, Suzanne brings Gil his coat and hat, presuming that he will go to his club as usual, but he interprets her action as a ruse to get rid of him. She pleads for forgiveness, which he gives her in spite of himself because her sweet voice charms him. As soon as he leaves, she lights a cigarette, puffing it with immense enjoyment. Suddenly there is a great banging at the door. Gil has forgotten his umbrella. The delay in opening the door and the strong odor of smoke prove her infidelity to him. This time he devises a plan to catch the seducer. Again he departs; she immediately relights her cigarette; he jumps through the window I have caught her, he thinks. Grabbing the hand she has hidden behind her back, he is shucked to burn himself. The secret is out: she begs his forgiveness for her “vice” while he begs hers for his jealousy, then lighting two cigarettes, he looks over to their bedroom and she nods.

Jeffrey Kuras