An old bachelor Uberto has two servants – charming Serpina and mute Vespone. Serpina has wanted to persuade her master to marry her so much that all she has been thinking about is the wedding and not her duties. That is why Uberto has been upset since the morning that she forgot to serve him breakfast. Moreover, she claims she is already working too much and will not follow her master’s every whim anymore. Then, in order to spite her, Uberto orders Vespone to find a caring wife for him. Clever Serpina is reacting fast. She has already decided to make Uberto fall in love with her no matter what, and mute Vespone will help her.
Uberto is coming back from a walk. Serpina informs him that she is going to marry her fellow countryman who is very keen on having her as a wife. Uberto is getting jealous. He wants to see a person who is about to steal his Serpina. The girl presents mute Vespone in disguise as her groom. The master seems to have been fooled. What is more, there is another disturbing detail. According to Serpina, it is clear that her future husband is demanding a proper dowry from Uberto, otherwise, he threatens to beat him up. The master is upset that the poor girl is going to marry such a twerp, plus he will even have to pay for it!
Uberto admits his total defeat under gentle but adamant pressure. He hugs the sly maid and declares: Serpina is mine! Vespone, having forgotten about his role gets rid of his disguise. However, Uberto is not angry at him anymore. He is even glad their plan pushed him to marry Serpina. After all, it has been his old dream. He just was not feeling brave enough to propose.
Comical opera in one act, performed without intermission. Libretto by Gennaro Antonio Federico, translated by Mykola Brovchenko. Performed in Ukrainian language.