Salerni, Unto Others, Scenes 1, 2, and 3

SUMMARY: UNTO OTHERS, ACT I

Scene 1               June 14, 1936, a hospital room in Florence, Italy. Guilio Bartali’s injuries in a biking competition bring big brother Gino to the hospital where his distraught parents comfort Guilio in his last hours. Gino is accompanied by his Jewish friend, Giacomo Goldenberg. Dalla Costa administers last rites to Guilio and then Mamma shoos them all out to sing her last lullaby to her youngest child.

Ensemble: Mother, Father, Gino, Goldenberg, Dalla Costa. Aria: Mamma

Scene 2               1937, a confessional in Florence, Italy. Gino begs forgiveness for his passion for cycling in spite of his vow to quit after his brother’s death. Dalla Costa, his confessor, chides him for ignoring his God-given skills by not competing.

Aria: Gino, Duet: Gino, Dalla Costa

Scene 3               July 30, 1938, Tour de France. Projections show the route of the ’38 Tour. Vintage videos depict crowd scenes, the route of the Tour, etc.  As Gino rides into the stadium, wearing the winner’s yellow jersey, the crowd roars. Some adore him and others catcall, warning him that his speech must praise Mussolini. An official hands Gino an envelope as he approaches the dais. He begins to read the canned speech and realizes it is Fascist propaganda. He tears it up and speaks from his heart to say thank you

Chorus. Aria: Gino