Act 2

ACT TWO PROLOGUE: Zanni tells how Capitano has located Aurelio and informed him of the plan where he will sneak into the wedding, challenge Capitano to a duel and pretend to murder Capitano, thus seeming to prove himself the stronger, braver man; and that it is now the day of the wedding, and the guests are gathered. 

ACT TWO: Wedding Hall

SCENE ONE: Capitano, Aurelio, Wedding Guests

Aurelio comes wrapped in a cloak to disguise himself. Capitano goes over the final details of their plan with him, saying that Aurelio should challenge him just before the marriage contract is signed, and that he’ll lay on the ground playing dead while the paperwork is completed. Aurelio joins the guests.

SCENE TWO: Capitano, Aurelio, Aurelia, Magnifico, Tartaglia, Wedding Guests

Tartaglia arrives to preside over the wedding ceremony. Aurelia wears a long veil and holds a bouquet. She is guided down the aisle by Magnifico. Tartaglia makes a wedding speech, then invites Capitano and Aurelia to sign the marriage contract. Aurelio throws off his disguise, interrupts the ceremony and makes a show of challenging the Capitano to a duel. Capitano and Aurelio feign a ridiculous swordfight, at the end of which Capitano declares he’s been stabbed, and lies down as if dead. Aurelio and Aurelia prepare to sign the marriage contract together, but Magnifico draws his own sword and detains Aurelio for the murder of Capitano. Magnifico swears to have Aurelio beheaded for the crime. 

Capitano realizes that the scheme isn’t working and decides to get up. Magnifico screams in terror, thinking that Capitano is a vampire, and he aims his own sword at Capitano to try to slay him. Aurelio jumps in the way and defends Capitano from Magnifico. Taking turns, Capitano, Aurelia and Aurelio explain the truth to Magnifico. Magnifico finally calms down and is swayed; because Capitano really doesn’t want to marry Aurelia, and because Aurelio has proven his bravery in defending Capitano, and because everyone is already there for a wedding, he will allow Aurelio and Aurelia to be married. The lovers sign their marriage contract, and Capitano is invited to join them and the guests for the reception.

EPILOGUE: Zanni comes out with a guitar and plays a song about the triumph of love.