Confusing "Piazza" lyrics

I searched and searched, so please don't gripe....

In "Aiutami," Signora Nacarelli states:

If there are suspicions I encourage them
If there are rages I say, "Louder please! Louder!"
Does father cheat on mother?
She suspects
Does father know that she suspects?
He suspects...

In listening to the CD, I always assumed she was talking about whether Roy cheats on Margaret, and if Roy knows Margaret suspects him of cheating.

But the way Patti and Chris played it on the PBS broadcast, it seemed like maybe the line refers to infidelity within Signor and Signora Nacarelli's relationship? I saw the show with the original cast, and I don't remember getting that impression. And now I'm confused.

Anyone have an opinion?

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Interesting...I always thought that it did refer to Signor and Signora when I saw the show originally (almost a year ago now!) and on the CD - Signor's behavior is echoed by Guiseppe's and it also sets up the possibility for the event (which I will not disclose in case anyone hasn't seen the show) after "Let's Walk".

And it supports one of the show's theme's - forgiveness...even though Signora knows that Signor cheats on her, she loves him and forgives him as Franca does Guiseppe as well

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Same here, Babyboomer and GREAT point, wherethehorizonlies

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I always assumed that the line was about the Johnson's marriage. The Nacarelli's are talking about the family and why Clara and Margaret left. Isn't it possible they would be prognosticating about the state of the Johnson's marriage?

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So if she is talking about herself and Signor Nacarelli, what does their infidelity have to do with the main point of "Aiutami"? The song is about Fabrizzio's rage over Clara leaving, the Nacarellis' reaction to his rage, and about the need for people to take risk and require help in order for love to exist.

What do Signora Nacarelli's suspicions about her husband's loyalty have to do with that theme?

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Updated On: 6/20/06 at 10:10 AM

Kind of off topic, but who could understand Sarah sing "the joy you feel"?

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For me, having the Signora reflect on the state of her own marriage and it's complications amplifies the theme of risk. She is talking about how she encourages the drama of it all. She knows - he knows she knows - but yet they take the risk to still love each other. This is an important plot element to futher delineate the cultural differences at play. You have all of these overwraught Italians with their emotions on display for all to see screeching high notes, a cacophony of sounds and histrionics... then you have the scene with Margaret and Clara immediately following. The uptight Americans - never speaking what is lying beneath the surface - supressing their emotions ... Clara takes Margaret to task for it and Margaret lashes out by striking her - her form of "Aiutami". Then comes the serenity of "Light in the Piazza". Clara, maybe because of her handicap, has no problem expressing love, her desires and it comes pouring, flooding out. This is why she can find love in Italy and not back home and Margaret sees this. I think you have to take it in a greater context and not so singular. The piece in total is about love - not infidelity.

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Updated On: 6/20/06 at 10:34 AM

I understand what you're saying Hanna, Bari and kgee, and I can see the logic of your explanations.

But I still feel that the reference to infidelity between the Nacarellis is out of place in the song. The Signora is talking about how she encourages the family's rages and anguish over Clara and Fabrizzio's situation, not about their own family issues. For me the lines about cheating just stick out like a sore thumb.

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I think it's a particularly interesting moment in the show because, otherwise, you think that Senora Nacarelli just does everything her husband says, that she's weak. With her revelations during Aiutami, you see how instrumental she is in the "goings on" of the family and almost how she orchestrates the situation. The staging even sort of looks like she's the conductor and they are the instruments.

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It's also important to remember that this number isn't about Fabrizio's rage. He's not angry at clara. This song is all Angst. The young in love, my life is over if she looks at me crooked angst. I think it's amplified by the "italianness" of the family. So I thought the song was more about angst and drama. I thought it was how Signora is sort of enjoying seeing this drama play out. The reference of the infidelity is not only a reference to her husband but indirectly to Giuseppe. I think those are further "examples" of drama and the risk that she's talking about.

Yes, she is referring to her own family...as pointed out above, she doesn't even know about the situation between Margaret and Roy - and has no reason to suspect.

Like everything else in Piazza, this is set up previously with character foreshadowing. In the first scene of the show (where the emphasis is on Margaret and Clara singing about Florence), in the background in front of the tie-shop Signor Nacarelli is seen flirting with a pretty woman and giving her his card. Just as his eldest son Guiseppe is flirting with women elsewhere on the stage.

This is later echoed in the song we are discussing.

As others have said, Signor Naccarelli cheats, or is close to doing so, on Signora Naccarelli. This is evidenced by him kissing Margaret later.

I always kind of wondered about the Naccarellis in the musicals and how ALL of them except for Fabrizio and Signora are unfaithful. Is infidelity genetic!?

The point of Signora's part is IMO to explain that passion about one's love, even when brought about by something bad, is a good thing. So she likes it.

I also think it's to show a different side of Signora. In the scenes with Margaret and Clara she seems like just a nice housewife. In "Aiutami" you learn more about her personality and find out there's more to her than just a sweet Italian lady.

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Updated On: 6/20/06 at 01:54 PM

Thanks to all for your opinions! It's always interesting to see other people's interpretations.

I guess what's confusing me is that the Signora switches from talking about the family's reactions, herself included, to this specific instance (Clara leaving) to something that seems unrelated (her marriage). She goes on about what she does to encourage everyone's rages and angst over Fabrizzio's plight, and then all of the sudden comes out with information about her relationship with her husband. I just find it a very jarring change.

But if I separate her description of her actions ("I let them boil and simmer and stew...) from the specific instance of Clara and Fabrizzio, and understand it as a general comment about her role in the family's dramatics--no matter what the crisis (as some of you have)--then the information about her marriage makes sense.


Thanks!

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