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"Brighella, The Greatest
Band Director in All of
the World”
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Scenario.
Brighella, Franceschina, Flaminia and Arlecchino. Brighella, “The Greatest
Band Director in All of the World”, directs the band.
* * * * * * * * *
Franceschina, Flaminia and Arlecchino are rehearsing, waiting for Brighella to
arrive. He enters,
Brighella: I have arrived! Yes, it is true, Brighella, “The Greatest Band Director
in All of the World, is here! Ah, the band awaits… (he stops to listen). Turning
toward the sound, he recognizes them, (Ah, no! Franceschina! Flaminia!
Arlecchino! Aaah! attempts to escape (tiptoes toward door), but is caught. (The
music stops.)
Franceschina: Yoo-hoo! Master Brighella! Here we are, your band awaits!
Brighella: (to audience) I must hide! But, where? (gets an idea) Aha! (pulls
beard from pouch and puts it on, then turns to others).
Franceschina: Oh, I beg forgiveness! I thought you were Master Brighella, our
band director.
Brighella: Is it Brighella you are looking for? “The Greatest Band Director in All
of the World”? I regret, I am not he, but his cousin, yes, his cousin, Scapino!
Flaminia: (gets up to ‘greet’ him) Ooh, Scapino! Can you help us? Have you
seen your good cousin, Brighella, or perhaps you are, also, a band director?!
Brighella: (warms up to Flaminia, then notices Franceschina again) Brighella,
no, he’s nowhere to be found… A band director? No, regretfully… I am quite
deaf! Yes, that is it, I am stone deaf, a terrible accident (insert ridiculous
accident here)…
Flaminia: (loudly) Too bad! So here we are, with no one to help us… blah,
blah.
Brighella puts his hands to his ears to muffle her loud voice and drops his
beard. Flaminia screams, and Franceschina looks up, recognizing Brighella.
Flaminia: Oh, THERE you are, Master Brighella! What a coincidence! We were
just speaking of you, with your cousin, Scapino! He has not seen you, he says.
Brighella: Ah, yes, poor chap. Blind, I believe. Yes, blinded in a terrible
accident, it was… (insert ridiculous accident here)…
Flaminia: Mores the pity… But, on to cheerful things, shall we? You are here
now (grabs his arm), and we have warmed up, and are ready for you! (she
drags him over to take his place as director of the band).
Brighella reluctantly raises his baton, and the band begins to play.
Franceschina plays the violin, Flaminia plays the _____, and Arlecchino is
eating a sausage. He has them stop and start again, moving closer to each to
listen. He stops them.
Brighella (to Franceschina): Ah, but you are not warmed up! Quick! Run to the
center of town and circle the square! [Franceschina exits.]
He raises his baton, again, moves closer to each to listen. He stops them.
Brighella (to Flaminia): ah, but you are much too hot! Quickly, now, to the
tavern, and order some ale for us both!
He raises his baton, again, moves closer to Arlecchino, and sits down beside
him, just as he is about to take a bite out of another sausage. Brighella takes
the sausage from him, and takes a bite.
Brighella: Do you hear that, Arlecchino? (silence) … The Greatest Song in All
of the World! (They both lean back in their chairs, and contently eat sausage.)
[The sound of Franceschina’s violin draws closer; they both get up and exit.]
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