The Romantic World of Puccini: A New Critical Appraisal of the Operas by Iris J. Arnesen

Author:Iris J. Arnesen [Arnesen, Iris J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
Tags: Music, ISBN-13: 9780786444823, McFarland
ISBN: 9780786444823
Publisher: McFarland
Published: 2009-06-01T00:00:00+00:00

Belasco now takes us to the saloon that’s attached to the Palmetto. It’s a seedy place, where the riffraff of Cloudy Mountain gather. Such men are not welcome at the Polka, and their presence has made the Palmetto “...a drab, squalid, soulless place with nothing to recommend it but its size.” Ashby did not go with the posse on the wild goose chase led by Jose Castro. Ever since he left the Polka he has been here at the Palmetto, in the private parlor, awaiting the arrival of Nina Micheltoreña. A bottle of whiskey stands on the table in front of him, and as the minutes tick by he steadily draws on the bottle.

At length Ashby hears a step outside the parlor door, but he knows it is not that of Nina. His keen senses tell him Jack Rance is approaching. In silence the sheriff enters and helps himself to a drink. Though pleased that his rival has failed to catch the road agent, Ashby says nothing, and he even banishes the glint of satisfaction from his eyes.

For a long time the two men sit across from one another, neither saying a word. Rance hopes Nina will not show, for he has no desire for Ashby to succeed where he has failed.

Finally he declares, “This woman isn’t coming, that’s for certain.” Annoyed by Rance’s cynical smile, Ashby says she will indeed come, and within ten minutes. “You evidently,”

responds Rance, “take no account of the fact that the lady may have changed her mind. The Nina Micheltoreñas are fully as privileged as others of their sex.” This earns Rance a sharp look from Ashby, whose intuition tells him there is something bothering the sheriff. No 9. La Fanciulla del West

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doubt the Girl dealt his ego a blow tonight. In an indulgent tone the Wells Fargo man repeats his belief that Nina will come. The two lapse back into silence, and Rance entertains himself by thinking hard thoughts about Ashby. How ever had the man acquired such a great reputation? He certainly boasts enough. Goodness knows the boys have him on a high enough pedestal. Truth be told, Rance is jealous of Ashby.

At last the two men hear a door open quietly. Nina enters the parlor, throws back her mantilla, and takes a cigarette from a little case. As she lights the cigarette, Ashby cannot help but admire her voluptuous beauty. And yet something about Nina seems pitiful. Ashby knows the history of this former belle of Monterey, and it seems a shame she can be bought by any man with money.

Nina looks straight ahead, into space. In her heart there is nothing but hatred for Ramerrez. She sees a vision of herself in Mexico City, or Spain, living the fabulous life that five thousand dollars will buy. “Ramerrez was in Cloudy Mountain tonight,” she says. Rance examines the sheen on his boots, while Ashby gazes at Nina. “Where was he?” Before Nina can answer the sheriff says, “Oh, come, Ashby! She’s

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