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Suor Angelica 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 premičre 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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LIBRETTO by Giovacchino Forzano |
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Location: A Convent; Time: towards the end of the seventeenth century |
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| PROTAGONISTS
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Suor Angelica, a nun (soprano) Zia Principessa, her aunt (alto) The Monitress (mezzo-soprano) Suor Genovieffa (Soprano) Suor Dolcina (Soprano) Suor Osmina (Soprano) Suor Zelatrice (Mezzo- soprano) the Lay Sisters |
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| PREMIČRE | Metropolitan Opera House,
Nueva York, December 14th 1918
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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, Glock, Cel, Harp, Strings; offstage:
Picc, 2 Pno, Organ, 3 Tpt, Camp, Cymb, tavolettas. |
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| CHORUS | Large chorus part (chorus for women) | |
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| SYNOPSIS | In a convent. Angelica has lived in the peace of the convent for seven years. Her past life was different. She was a young girl who discovered the happiness of love. She has a son whom she misses everyday. She has never gotten any news from her family who took her to the convent to cover up the scandal. Her aunt, the princess, visits her. Angelica just wants to know how her son is and her aunt tells her that the child has died. Angelica falls down on the ground. Later she prays that she may not die in mortal sin. Seemingly in answer to her prayer,the Virgin Mary and her son appear in a vision. She dies. | |
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| LIBRETTO | ACT I | |
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| DISCOGRAPHY | ||
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| OPERA IN VIDEO AND DVD | ||
