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Double Bill

Suor Angelica &
Gianni Schicchi

By Giacomo Puccini
Sung in Italian, with English supertitles

Friday, October 4, 2024 • 7:30 pm
Sunday, October 6, 2024 • 2:30 pm

The Egyptian Theatre

Suor Angelica is an original story by Givacchino Forzano.
Gianni Schicchi is based on an incident from Dante’s Divine Comedy (Inferno, Canto XXX).

Run Time: Approximately 2 hrs 30 min, including one intermission.

Content Advisory: Themes of Suicide and Death
Please be aware that Suor Angelica addresses sensitive themes, including grief, loss, and suicide. In contrast, Gianni Schicchi touches on death with a lighter, comedic tone. We recognize these topics may be difficult for some audience members and encourage you to take care of your well-being while attending.

Introduction

This double bill of Puccini’s operatic genius, Suor Angelica and Gianni Schicchi offers a compelling blend of drama and comedy. Suor Angelica delves into a poignant story of secrets, loss, and redemption. In contrast, Gianni Schicchi brings laughter with its clever plot of scandal and wit, inspired by Dante’s Divine Comedy. These back-to-back performances take you on a rollercoaster of emotions, with stunning music and powerful storytelling.

Even though the performances will be sung in Italian, we will project supertitles in English, making the dialogue and lyrics accessible to everyone, ensuring a captivating performance that fully engages the senses for an unforgettable evening at the opera. Perfect for both opera newcomers and longtime fans, this evening promises a unique cultural experience.

Historical and Cultural Context

Suor Angelica and Gianni Schicchi are part of Giacomo Puccini’s “Il Trittico,” a trio of one-act operas that premiered together at the Metropolitan Opera in 1918 (Il Tabarro is the first opera in the trio, not included in our production). Each opera in the triptych presents a distinct narrative and emotional tone, showcasing Puccini’s versatility. “Il Trittico” was designed to provide a comprehensive theatrical experience, blending tragedy, pathos, and comedy in a single evening.

Suor Angelica was Puccini’s personal favorite, but usually the one to be omitted if only two of the operas are performed. Puccini intended that the three works be performed as a set and wrote a letter to publisher Casa Ricordi to complain about their giving permission in 1920 to The Royal Opera, London, “for Tabarro and Schicchi without Angelica.”

In Popular Culture

The aria “O mio babbino caro” from Gianni Schicchi is one of the most famous and frequently performed arias in opera. It has appeared in numerous films, television shows, and commercials, helping to bring Puccini’s work into popular culture. One of the most memorable and hilarious examples is Rowan Atkinson’s lip-sync performance in “Mr. Bean’s Holiday,” starting at 43 seconds in the video below.

Suor Angelica Cast

Vanessa Isiguen
Suor Angelica

Michele Detwiler
La Zia Principessa

Sarah Stembel
Suor Genovieffa

Katia Hayati, La Suora Zelatrice
Kristen Dittman, La Maestra Delle Novizie
Alana Seacord, Suor Osmina
Amanda Gardner, Suor Dolcina
Christine Rode, La Suora Infermiera
BrieAnne Welch & Naomi Spinelli, Le Cercatrici
Caitlin Carlberg & Shelby Boice, Le Conversa
Melissa Bagwell & Anthea Fisher, Le Novizie
Sarah Kelly & Melinda Harper, Le Suore

Gianni Schicchi Cast

Jason Detwiler
Gianni Schicchi

Vanessa Isiguen
Lauretta

Orson Van Gay II
Rinuccio

Michele Detwiler
Zita

Andrew Peck
Gherardo

Sarah Stembel
Nella

Jeffrey Seppala
Simone

Katia Hayati
La Ciesca

Brayden Olson
Marco

Greg Watts
Betto

Marcus Lawrence, Master Spinelloccio
Derek Carson, Pinellino
Erik Noyce, Amantio di Nicolao
Colin Cho, Guccio
Brandon VanWaeyenberghe, Buoso

Artistic Team

Andy Anderson
Conductor

Frances Rabalais
Stage Director

James Haycock, Scenic & Costume Designer
Danyale Cook, Hair/Makeup Designer
David Goodman-Edberg, Lighting Designer
Hope Griffin, Stage Manager
Carlyn Jones, Assistant Stage Manager
Nico Hewitt, Technical Director
Melanie Keller, Orchestra Contractor 
Kelly Kaye, Chorus Master/Titles Op
Betsi Hodges, Staff/Rehearsal Accompanist

Synopsis

Suor Angelica

Banished to live in a convent after having an illegitimate child, Sister Angelica has not heard from her family in seven years. Finally a visitor is announced: it is Angelica’s aunt, the princess. Rejecting Angelica’s gestures of affection, she explains that when Angelica’s parents died, she was made guardian of both her and her younger sister. The sister is to be married, and the princess demands Angelica sign her share of the inheritance over to her. Crushed by her aunt’s cruelty, Angelica asks about her little son. The princess coldly tells her that he died two years earlier. The devastated Angelica signs the document, and the princess leaves. Angelica grieves that her child died without her mother by her side (“Senza mamma”). She drinks poison, then suddenly realizes that suicide is a mortal sin. Praying for forgiveness, she dies with a vision of her son greeting her in heaven.

Gianni Schicchi

The greedy relatives of the wealthy Buoso Donati discover that the deceased has left his fortune to the church. The young Rinuccio suggests that Gianni Schicchi, a shrewd, self-made man and the father of his girlfriend, Lauretta, can help them. Schicchi appears with his daughter. Disgusted by the hypocrisy and avarice of the aristocratic family, he is about to leave but persuaded to stay by Lauretta who proclaims her intention to marry Rinuccio (“O mio babbino caro”). Reading the will, Schicchi devises a plan to impersonate the dead man. The relatives send for the notary and Schicchi, wearing Buoso’s nightshirt and cap, from his sickbed dictates a new will, in which he leaves the greater part of the estate, including the house they are in, to his “dear friend Gianni Schicchi.” The relatives are furious, and steal what they can from the house, chased out by Schicchi, who remains behind with Lauretta and Rinuccio. Turning to the audience, he points out how happy his fraud has made the young lovers and pleads that he not be judged too harshly.