THE GONDOLIERS, or the King of Barataria

Описание: Years ago, when an insurrection took place on the island of Barataria, Don Alhambra Del Bolero, the Grand Inquisitor of Spain whisked away the King's infant son to safety, leaving him in the care of a Venetian gondolier who had a son of the same age. But the gondolier lost track of which of the two boys was his son and which the Prince of Barataria. The gondolier died sometime later. The two boys, Marco and Giuseppe grew up and became Venetian gondoliers, completely unaware that one of them was the Prince of Baritaria,

The young ladies in Venice all swoon over these two handsome gondoliers. Now ready to marry, the men come to the piazzetta to choose two of these young ladies to become their wives. Not wishing to show a preference for any of them, they asked to be blindfolded and marry whoever each of them catch. Marco captures Gianetta, and Giuseppi captures Tessa. The two couples and the other maidens and Marco and Giuseppe's fellow gondoliers all rush off to make preparations for the wedding.

After a long sea voyage from Spain, The Duke and Duchess of Plaza Toro and their beautiful daughter Casilda arrive in Venice. We learn that years ago, when Casilda was a baby they married her by proxy to the then infant Prince of Barataria. They are aware that the Prince was taken away to Venice by Don Alhambra, and they have come here so that Casilda can finally join the Prince and they can rule as Queen and King of Baritaria. This is unwelcome news to Casilda and the Duke's private drummer Luiz, who are very much in love with one another. Being married to the Prince, Casilda has no choice but to end her romantic relationship with Luiz.

The weddings of Marco and Gianetta, and Giuseppe and Tessa take place to the joy of all in attendance. The couples make preparations to leave on their honeymoon's. But they are interrupted by Don Alhambra who informs them that one of the men, it is not known which, is the King of Barataria. He explains that Barataria is in a state of chaos and in need of its new King. But since no one knows whether Marco or Giuseppe is the King, Don Alhambra has arranged for them to rule jointly.

The women are excited at the prospect of leaving with their husbands. But they are heartbroken when Don Alhambra informs them that no women are admitted. He tells them their separation will be brief because he is going to locate the Princes foster mother who will be able to identify which of the two men is the rightful King. The women are happy with that reassurance and the realization that at the end of all this, one of them will become a Queen.

Marco and Giuseppe and their fellow gondoliers all board a ship and sail off to Barataria. There, they rule jointly. But, because both the men believe in republicanism, they declare that everyone in their kingdom is to be promoted to one high position or another and considered to be equals in status and power.

Some time has past. Pining for their husbands, Gianetta and Tessa and the rest of their maiden friends sail off to Barataria to rejoin their husbands. They are enthusiastically welcomed by Marco and Giuseppe and their court (the other former gondoliers). Don Alhambra arrives in Barataria to inform Marco and Giuseppe that the Duke and Duchess will soon arrive at Barataria with Casilda, who will then join one of the two men as Queen. And they will soon find out who because Don Alhambra is holding the Prince's foster mother in the torture chamber where she will be forced to reveal the identity of the true heir to the throne.

Overhearing the news that one of their husbands was already married to Casilda the two women become very upset with Don Alhambra and with their supposed husbands, realizing that one of the women is not legally married to one of the two men and neither of the women is to be a Queen.

The Prince's foster mother, Inez, is brought out of the torture chamber to tell all who is the rightful King of Barataria. She reveals, than she had been entrusted with the infant princes care. When rebels came for him, she deftly substituted her own son. They rebels fell for it. They took her real son leaving Inez to raise the young prince as her own son. She reveals that the child she raised was Luiz,. This is joyful news for Casilda and Luiz. They can be reunited and marry, and reign as the rightful Queen and King of Barataria.

Gianetta and Tessa are disappointed to learn that neither of them will get to be Queen. But they are also very happy to learn that neither of their husbands was married to Casilda and that they are both therefore legally married to Marco and Guisseppe.

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Videography:
Larry Engler, Just Shoot Me Videos | http://www.justshootmevideo.com/

Song subtitles: John Freedman