La Pйrichole

La Pйrichole

Act I

The scene opens in Lima, Peru, in the eighteenth century. It is the Viceroy’s, birthday and everyone is celebrating outside a tavern of three women known as the Three Cousins. The governor of the city of Lima, the first gentleman of the chamber, and the Viceroy all arrive in disguise. Everyone recognizes them but pretends not to notice them. Two street singers, La Pйrichole and Piquillo, enter. They are in love and are trying to raise money to get married. They sing to the crowd but when they are about to pass the hat among the crowd, some acrobats distract the crowd. Piquillo goes off to try and make some money. La Pйrichole goes to sleep. However the Viceroy enters and is struck by how beautiful La Pйrichole's is. He offers her a position as Lady in Waiting at the court. Desperate she agrees and writes a Farewell letter to Piquillo. Since a lady in waiting must be married, The Viceroy instructs the first gentleman of the chamber to go find a husband for La Pйrichole. When Piquillo reads La Pйrichole's letter he tries to hang himself, but is rescued by Panatellas. Panatellas tries to persuade him to marry the Viceroy's favorite. Piquillo, unaware that the favorite is La Pйrichole, does not want to. After a lot of drinking he agrees. La Pйrichole, also drunk, agrees when she recognizes Piquillo. Piquillo is too drunk to realize whom he is about to marry and warns his future bride that he is in love with someone else. They are placed in palanquins to be taken to the Viceroy's palace.

Act II

The next day four ladies of the court and the Chamberlain discuss the new favorite. Piquillo enters and is shocked when he realizes that he is married to an unknown woman. He wants to go find La Pйrichole but is told he must present his new wife to the Viceroy. La Pйrichole enters and Piquillo is surprised to see her. However he won’t listen to her explanation and throws La Pйrichole down in front of