"The Touchstone" follows Count Asdrubale, a wealthy man pursued by women like Aspasia, Fulvia, and Clarice. Clarice is the only one who loves him for reasons beyond his wealth. He's also surrounded by those seeking to benefit from him: the journalist Macrobio, the poet Pacuvio, and Giocondo, Asdrubale's true friend who secretly desires Clarice. To test his relationships, Asdrubale pretends to be bankrupt. Only Clarice and Giocondo remain loyal. When his fortune is unexpectedly restored, the three orchestrate a final, revealing moment for everyone involved. Set in what appears to be the early 1960s, the production innovatively uses blue screen technology to create fantastical settings and actions for the singers.
