Part 2: Galileo's Crime

Cast (in order of appearance)

Paul Bateman as State Library of Victoria Journalist
Angelo Saamanca as Galileo Galilei
Goff Ripoli  as Giovanni Ciampoli

The action takes place in the office of the Papal Secretary, Giovanni Ciampoli, on 23 June - the day after the trial of Galileo in 1632.

[The signature theme melody is played on cathedral organ with an Italian Renaissance feel.]

Journalist

Tensions are very high here in the offices of the Pope. It is June the 23rd in 1632 [his footsteps echo as he walks down the corridor] a very hot day in Rome. I've been told we can find Galileo Galilei in the office of the Papal Secretary. Just yesterday he was sentenced for publishing his latest book.
 
[Door opens.]

Galileo

Shall we laugh or shall we cry?

Ciampoli

Dannazione! You were told. 

Journalist

Forgive me.

Ciampoli

It's alright come in.

Journalist

[Door closes and he walks into the room.]

That seemed to me quite a serious sentence for just publishing a book.

Ciampoli

Remember that 17 years ago he was forbidden to publish anything that contradicts Church doctrine. 

Galileo

My book is a harmless dialogue, a simple conversation of ideas about the nature of the universe.

Ciampoli

Ah but you see my friend. The character he created, the one who speaks the view of the Church, he named him, Simplicio. His book ridicules the Pope. Galileo, what did you expect?

Galileo

I expected them to be reasonable men.

Ciampoli

[He walks to the other side of the room.] They are men of the Church and men of great power, not men of reason.

Galileo

This Holy Inquisition is a farce. It is not about reason or faith, nor the mechanics of the universe. It is about fear.

Journalist

What does the Holy Roman Catholic Church have to fear?

Galileo

é la brutta figura!

Journalist

Pardon?

Galileo

Any true dialogue concerning the two chief world systems will not be tolerated by the Church.

Journalist

So you book is a threat to the authority of the church.

Ciampoli

[He walks back to his desk.] The Holy Inquisition has prohibited his book and very nearly sentenced him a heretic. [He pulls out his chair and sits.] I risk a great deal even receiving him in my office.

[Music underscores the emotions of this part of the scene.]

Galileo

Indeed. Giovanni, you have been a great friend to me and I have a great favour to ask.

Ciampoli

I warned you that publishing was risky. I did all that I could to protect you. You have barely escaped with your life. What is it you ask of me?

Galileo

I make a plea. Not to my friend Giovanni Ciampoli but to the Papal Secretary, please, not for me, not for God, not for philosophy, but for the people. God alone knows what will become of the copies of Dialogue in print. I assume the Church will find them and burn them. Take this copy and bury it deep in the library. Hide it there that it may be found years hence... that this copy at least remains. A printed record of how a man of science saw things in the year of our lord 1632.  Humanity should remember this about itself.

[The music comes to a gentle resolution.]

Ciampoli

There are many books in His Holiness’s collection. You would be surprised to see some of them I think. I can promise nothing. I helped you to get this printed remember. I am certain they will come for me next.  I doubt I have many days left in this office. 

Galileo

[He steps toward the journalist.] Then you must take this copy.

Journalist

Well, I….

Ciampoli

[He hears something.] Attenzione! You must both go. Galileo, I have heard that tomorrow you are to be placed in the custody of the Florentine Ambassador, Niccolini.

[The signature theme music is played to end the scene.]

Credits

Conceived and Directed by John Paul Fischbach
Script by Robert Reid
Engineered and mixed by Carl Priestly at Itchyacoustic Design
Orchestrations by David James Nielsen

Recorded December 2007