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Opera in one act, 1918- Libretto by Giovacchino Forzano
The opera opens with scenes showing typical aspects of life in the convent — all the sisters sing hymns, the Monitor scolds two lay-sisters, everyone gathers for recreation in the courtyard. The sisters rejoice because, as the Mistress of Novices explains, this is the first of three evenings that occur each year when the setting sun strikes the fountain to turn its water golden. This event causes the sisters to remember a sister who has died, Bianca Rosa. Sister Genevieve suggests they pour some of the golden water onto her tomb. The nuns then discuss their desires — while the Monitor believes that any desire at all is wrong, Sister Genevieve confesses that she wishes to see lambs again because she used to be a shepherdess when she was a girl, and Sister Dolcina wishes for something good to eat. Sister Angelica claims to have no desires, but as soon as she says so, the nuns begin gossiping — Sister Angelica has lied, because her true desire is to hear from her wealthy, noble family, whom she has not heard from in seven years. The rumors have it that she was sent to the convent in punishment. The conversation is interrupted by the Infirmary Sister, who begs Sister Angelica to make an herbal remedy — Sister Angelica's specialty. Two tourières then arrive, bringing supplies to the convent, as well as news that a grand coach is waiting outside the convent. Sister Angelica immediately becomes nervous and upset, thinking rightly that someone in her family has come to visit her. The Abbess chastises Sister Angelica for her inappropriate excitement and then goes on to announce the visitor, the Princess, Sister Angelica's aunt.
Csilla Boross( Sister Angelica) , Natasha Petrinsky ( The Princess), Anne Destrael (The Abess), Françoise Delplanque (The Manitress) Kathleen Wilkinson (The Mistress of the Novices) Ivana Rusko (Sister Genoveffa) The Alms Sisters ( Ivi Karnezi, Jessie Baty) Elisabeth Soina ( The Nursing Sister)
Musical and Stage Direction : Gaetano d'Espinosa, Sets Designer : Johan Engels, Costumes Designer: Marie-Jeanne Lecca, Lighting: Fabrice Kebour
Italian
English, French
Production compagny : Telmondis
Coproduction compagny : Opéra de Lyon, Mezzo with the participation of France TV
Running Time : 1x 58’
Production Year : 2012
Distribution compagny : Telmondis distribution
Video Format : HDCAM, Digibeta 16/9