Salerni, Unto Others Scenes 4 and 5

Scene 4               Goldenberg’s kitchen, late at night. He and Gino play cards and drink grappa. Gino, now married to Adriana, is preoccupied with impending fatherhood. Exasperated, Giacomo talks about the impact of anti-Semitic laws. He explains his adolescent daughter is heartbroken because the law says she is forbidden to go to school. Giacomo has made arrangements for Tea to continue her schooling in a convent, where she will learn to “pass” as a Catholic. Gino offers his friend and family a safe hiding space. Goldenberg sings of his hope to leave one Goldenberg survivor of the Holocaust, Tea.

Duet: Gino and Giacomo, Aria: Giacomo Goldenberg

Scene 5               Interior of the Duomo. Dalla Costa tells Gino that saving one Jewish family is not enough. He wants Gino to join the Underground and introduces the team of experts he has recruited to produce fake identification for Jews fleeing the Holocaust. Gino is uniquely suited to be the courier who delivers the forged papers to monasteries and convents, so they can be passed on to users. Gino agrees to participate, and the team sings the great anti-Fascist anthem “Bella Ciao” to solidify their purpose.

Duet: Gino and Dalla Costa.  Chorus

END OF ACT I