Organization

Conductor

Bruce Stasyna

Stage director

A. Scott Parry

Baritone

James Arnold

Gianni Schicchi

Soprano

Nicole Joseph

Lauretta

Contralto

Katherine Dalin

Zita

Tenor

Perry Davis Harper

Rinuccio

Bass

Russell Hoke

Simone

LaMarcus Miller

Marco

Mezzo-soprano

Elizabeth Picker

La Ciesca

Jessica Jane Jacobs

Nella

Isabella Stahl

Gherardino

Benjamin Cohen

Betto di Signa

Phil Hayes

Maestro Spinelloccio

Ser Amantio di Nicolao

Rebecca Caliendo

Sister Angelica

The Princess

The Abbess

Megan Bell

Sister Genovieffa

Lydia Dahling

Sister Osmina

Sister Dolcina

Molly Clodius

First novice

Sugar Creek Opera

Gianni Schicchi Puccini

Public

Approved

The greedy relatives of the wealthy Buoso Donati (Boo-OHsoh) gather at his deathbed to mourn his passing, and to investigate the details of his will. Young Rinuccio (Rih-NEWchee-oh) makes his Aunt Zita (ZEE- tah) promise to let him marry his beloved Lauretta if there is enough money. She agrees, but the will reveals the inheritance has been left to a monastery. In desperation, Rinuccio’s family turns to Lauretta’s father, the shrewd, self-made man, Gianni Schicchi (Johnny Skeekee). At the urging of Lauretta (who sways him with the popular aria, “O mio babbino caro”), Schicchi agrees to help and, with the aid of Rinuccio’s family, sets a risky plan in motion. Impersonating the dead man, he sends for the notary, and creates a new will. But Schicchi's role play includes an unexpected twist that will leave everyone reeling!

Sister Angelica has been in a convent for seven years, waiting in vain for word from her family. The other sisters speculate that she was a princess, banished for reasons they have not discovered. One day, a magnificent coach arrives, bearing Angelica’s aunt, the Princess. The Princess is cold and unfriendly to her niece—rejecting Angelica’s affection. She declares that as payment for the disgrace Angelica brought on the family, she wishes her to sign over her inheritance to her younger sister who is engaged to be married. When Angelica eventually learns the news that she longed to hear, about the secret child who drove her to the convent, she gives into her aunt’s request, then takes devastating actions she soon regrets. As the story draws to a close, this abbreviated opera resonates with themes of motherly love, heavenly beauty and redemption.

English

Gianni Schicchi by Puccini, Sister Angelica by Puccini, Sun 05 Aug 2012, From (2012/2012), Directed by A. Scott Parry,, Conductor Bruce Stasyna

Performance credits (Cast & Crew )

Cast

Programme, About & Synopsis

Photos

Further reading

Performance Dates & Venues

Venues