Coralina, la serventa amorosa

This magnificent show by Carlos Goldoni with the participation of 10 actors was first released in 1752. This work became the main core of the series that Goldoni, in a revolutionary manner,  dedicated to the maid by making her the protagonist of the stories; a series which was completed with La Locandiera and Le Donne Gelose.

Coralina is a maid in Ottavio’s mansion, where she was raised “as a daughter” together with the heir, the young Florindo. Nevertheless, a sudden event changes all plans: Ottavio becomes a widower when he is already an old man, and marries Beatrice, who pulls strings in order for her son Lelio to become Ottavio’s heir. First, she manages to kick Florindo out of the house; then, she downgrades Coralina to the lower level maids, and she decides to leave with Florindo. They barely survive as beggars with the tiny pension that Ottavio, dazzled by Beatrice, provides them. 

Anyway, Coralina proves to be a lucid and stubborn person as she devises a plan to bring Florindo closer to his father Ottavio, and, consequently, to his wealth. This situation provokes a series of love affairs, of deals with public notaries, of conspiracies among the servants, and intertwines each character’s goals in a passionate story that is going to bring a great party to the Teatre Principal… and a great mess also!