The Servant of Two Masters

A funny story that happened 250 years ago begins with the murder of the wealthy lord Federico. The Venetian merchant Pantalone promised to give his daughter Clarice to the killer (or rather: to Federico’s side) in return. And then Pantalone had to give his daughter to Silvio, the son of the local doctor. However, on the day of the young couple’s engagement, the murdered Federico suddenly appears in Pantalone’s house. Only Brighella, the innkeeper, recognizes in this “ghost” his sister Beatrice. Her clever servant Truffaldino—unexpectedly for himself—starts serving Florindo, the lover of his mistress. The paradox of the situation is that both gentlemen to the end of the play never even suspect that they have one servant for two.