I caught the Sunday matinee performance of the two Puccini one-acts by St. Petersburg Opera. I loved them both, particularly the powerful opening opera Suor Angelica.
The staging, the live orchestra, and Susan Spatafora’s portrayal of the tormented nun, were all wonderful, and like most of the audience, I was moved to tears by the end.
Fortunately, that emotional powerhouse is followed by the comic Gianni Schicchi, so I can literally tell you “you’ll cry AND you’ll laugh.”
It makes for a “don’t miss” combination. And you’ve got just one more opportunity – Tuesday evening at 7:30. For tickets you can follow this link or call the Palladium box office at 727-822-3590.
If you are not familiar with these two Puccini works – which are getting a lot of play around the opera world these days – here’s some background on the stories:
Suor Angelica
Sister Angelica, a Florentine noblewoman, has been compelled by her family to take the veil, following a youthful fault, and for seven years has in vain been waiting tidings from her family or friends. The abbess announces that Angelica’s aunt, the Princess, has come to call on her and warns her to be full of submission and humility in her conversation with the old lady. The Princess coldly tells Angelica that she has come in order that she may sign a certain act of release which is made necessary by the coming wedding of the nun’s younger sister. She adds that one course of action only is open to Angelica, and that course is lifelong expiation.
Susan Spatafora
Finally, in answer to Angelica’s question, the Princess informs her that her child, “the baby whom she had seen and kissed only once,” had died two years previously. Thereupon Angelica, seized by a sudden frenzy, concocts a poison and seeks suicide. Seized by remorse at her act, she implores the Virgin not to let her die in mortal sin, and then a miracle takes place. The Mother of Comfort suddenly appears on the threshold of the little church, enveloped in celestial radiance; a blonde child walks in front of the Virgin, who, with a gesture of ineffable benevolence, gently pushes the boy into the arms of his dying mother, while a choir of nuns and angels sings “Thou Art Saved.”
Gianni Schicchi
Buoso Donati has just died, surrounded by his relatives, who have heard that he has left all his money to the monks. They search for the will and Rinuccio, who finds it, refuses to hand it over till his Aunt Zita promises to let him marry Lauretta, daughter of Gianni Schicchi. He sends for Schicchi and when they have read the will and found their fears to be true, tells them that only Schicchi has the ingenuity to save them.
Although they resent Schicchi as an upstart, when he arrives with Lauretta they beg him to help them. Resenting their attitude, he only agrees when Lauretta appeals to him, since her happiness depends on it. Since no one outside the family knows that Buoso is dead, Schicchi disguises himself as Buoso, summons a lawyer and dictates a will. The relatives all have particular properties in mind and he leaves each one as requested, but reserves for himself the prize items of the house, a mule and the mill at Signa.
The furious relatives are powerless to stop him, as he reminds them that the penalty for falsifying a will is having the right hand chopped off and banishment from Florence.
He chases them away, except for Rinuccio, who remains with Lauretta. Schicchi addresses the audience, begging its indulgence for his sins since it has produced such a happy result.
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