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Gianni Schicchi OPERA IN ONE ACT The idea of joining various works in an only one constitute an expression of originality. The beginnings belong to a slow process to abandon little by little the conservative world from which Puccini had arisen. "Il Tabarro", "Suor Angelica" and "Gianni Schicchi" remain, with all their harsh realism, sentiment and calmness, a fascinating theatrical idea. For the composer, who started work on "Il Tabarro" in his 50s and completed the project happily with "Gianni Schicchi" in his 60s, this opera represented an important expression of his art.The première took place in New York because the majority of the artists in Italy were in military service, and operatic life suffered because of this. How he wished that his opera could have been premiered "at home"! He could not travel to the United States, since travel in Europe was dangerous because of mines, and it was also difficult to get a visa. In spite of the absence of the composer, the premiere of "Il Trittico" was a triumphant success, especially "Gianni Schicchi". |
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Location: Firenze (Florence); Time: 1299 |
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| PROTAGONISTS
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Gianni
Schicchi (baritone) Lauretta, his daughter (soprano) Zita, Buoso’s cousin (alto) Rinuccio, Zita’s nephew (tenor) Gheraldo, Buoso’s nephew (Tenor) Nella, his wife (Soprano) Gheraldino, their son (alto) Betto di Signa, Buoso’s brother-in-law (Bass) Simone, Buoso’s cousin (Bass) Marco, his son (Baritone) Ciesca, Marco's wife (Mezzo-soprano) relatives of Buoso Donati, a physician, Ser Amantio di Nicolao, a notary, Pinnellino, a cobbler, a dyer |
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| PREMIÈRE | Metropolitan
Opera House, Nueva York, December 14th 1918 Gianni
Schicchi : Giuseppe de Luca
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| INSTRUMENTATION | Picc, 2 Fl, 2 Ob, Eng hn, 2 Cl, BCl,
2 Bn, 4 Hn, 3 Tpt, 3 Tbn, Btbn, Timp, Trg, Tamb, GC, Cymb, Cel, Harp, Strings; offstage:
low Camp. |
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| SYNOPSIS | In Buoso Donati's room. The relatives surround him with prayers while he is dying. It's rumored that he has left all he has to a monastery. After this proves to be true, Gianni Schicchi is their only hope. He comes with his daughter Lauretta, who is in love with Rinuccio, Buoso's nephew. Lauretta makes her heartfelt plea to ask for her father's help. Schicchi finds a way to change Buosos's will. No one outside the room knows of Buosos' death, so Schicchi dresses himself in Buosos's nightclothes, climbs into bed in a dark room and fetches the notary to change the testament. Then the false Buoso dictates the will in front of the notary and two witnesses. He leaves small items to the relatives and the important possessions to Gianni Schicchi. After the notary leaves, the relatives riot and attack Schicchi, who defends himself with a stick. He suggests to the audience that if they have enjoyed themselves, he may be forgiven for his crime. Rinuccio and Lauretta stay with him when the others leave. | |
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| LIBRETTO | ACT I | |
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| DISCOGRAPHY | ||
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| OPERA IN VIDEO AND DVD | ||
