Un tal baccano in chiesa

English Libretto or Translation:

Their shouting is at its height when an ironic voice cuts short the uproar of songs and laughter. It is Scarpia. Behind him, Spoletta and several policemen.

SCARPIA
Such a hubbub in church! A fine respect!

SACRISTAN
stammering with fright
Excellency, the joyous news …

SCARPIA
Prepare for the Te Deum.
all depart crest-fallen; even the Sacristan hopes to slip away, but Scarpia brusquely detains him
You stay here!

SACRISTAN
cowering
I shan't move!

SCARPIA
to Spoletta
And you search every corner,
Track down every clue.

SPOLETTA
Very well.

SCARPIA
to other policemen
Keep watch at the doors,
Without arousing suspicion!
to Sacristan
Now, as for you …
Weigh your answers well.
A prisoner of State
Has just escaped from Castel Sant'Angelo.
He took refuge here.

SACRISTAN
Heaven help us!

SCARPIA
He may still be here. Where is the Chapel
Of the Attavanti?

SACRISTAN
That is it there,
goes to the gate and finds it half-open
It's open … Merciful Heaven!
And there's another key!

SCARPIA
A good sign. Let's go in.
They enter the Chapel and then return. Scarpia, balked, has a fan in his hands which he shakes nervously.
It was a bad mistake
To fire the cannon. The cheat
Has flown the roost, but left behind
A precious clue, a fan.
Who was the accomplice
In his flight?
puzzles over the situation, then examines the fan; suddenly notices the coat of arms
The Marchesa Attavanti! Its her crest …
looks around scrutinizing every corner of the church. His gaze rests on the scaffold, the painter's tools, the painting and he recognises the familiar features of the Attavanti in the face of the saint
Her portrait!
to the Sacristan
Who painted that picture?

SACRISTAN
The Cavalier Cavaradossi.

SCARPIA
He!

One of the policemen returns from the Chapel bringing the basket which Cavaradossi gave to Angelotti.

SACRISTAN
Heavens! The basket!

SCARPIA
pursuing his own thoughts
He! Tosca's lover! A suspect character!
A revolutionary!

SACRISTAN
peering into the basket
Empty! Empty!

SCARPIA
What do you say?
on seeing policeman with the basket
What's that?

SACRISTAN
taking the basket
They found this basket
In the Chapel.

SCARPIA
Have you seen it before?

SACRISTAN
Yes, indeed!
hesitant and fearful
It's the painter's basket … but … even so …

SCARPIA
Spit out what you know!

SACRISTAN
I left it for him filled
With excellent food …
The painter's meal!

SCARPIA
attentive, seeking to discover more
Then he must have eaten!

SACRISTAN
In the chapel? No. He had no key,
Nor did he want to eat. He told me so himself.
So I put the basket safely to one side.
Libera me domine!