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Opera in one act , 1918 Libretto by Giovacchino Forzano
As Buoso Donati lies dead in his curtained four-poster bed, his relatives gather round to mourn his passing but more particularly to learn the contents of his will. Among those present are his cousins Zita and Simone, his poor-relation brother-in-law Betto, and Zita's nephew Rinuccio. Betto mentions a rumour he has heard that Buoso has left everything to a monastery; this disturbs the others and precipitates a frantic search for the will. The document is found by Rinuccio, who is confident that his uncle has left him plenty of money. He withholds the will momentarily and asks Zita to allow him to marry Lauretta, daughter of Gianni Schicchi, a newcomer to Florence. Zita replies that if Buoso has left them rich, he can marry whom he pleases; she and the other relatives are anxious to begin reading the will. A happy Rinuccio sends little Gherardino to fetch Schicchi and Lauretta. As they read, the relatives' worst fears are soon realised; Buoso has indeed bequeathed his fortune to the monastery. They break out in woe and indignation, and turn to Simone, the oldest present and a former mayor of Fucecchio, but he can offer no help. Rinuccio suggests that only Gianni Schicchi can advise them what to do, but this is scorned by Zita and the rest, who sneer at Schicchi's humble origins and now say that marriage to the daughter of such a peasant is out of the question. Rinuccio defends Schicchi in an aria "Avete torto" (You're mistaken), after which Schicchi and Lauretta arrive. Schicchi quickly grasps the situation, and Rinuccio begs him for help, but Schicchi is rudely told by Zita to "be off" and take his daughter with him. Rinuccio and Lauretta listen in despair as Schicchi announces that he will have nothing to do with such people. Lauretta makes a final plea to him with "O mio babbino caro" (Oh, my dear papa), and he agrees to look at the will. After twice scrutinizing it and concluding that nothing can be done, an idea occurs to him. He sends his daughter outside so that she will be innocent of what is to follow.
Werner Van Mechelen(Gianni Schicchi) Ivana Rusko ( Lauretta), Natascha Petrinsky (Zita), Benjamin Bernheim (Rinuccio) Wynne Evans (Gherardo) Agnes Selma Weiland ( Nella)
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 : 1 x 60’
Production Year : 2012
Distribution compagny : Telmondis distribution
Video Format : HDCAM, Digibeta 16/9