UCLA Department of Music and Committee on Fine Arts Productions present
The UCLA Opera Workshop
in Four Studio Performances of
Puccini’s One Act Operas
Suor Angelica
and
Gianni Schicchi
Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, June 3 through 6, 1976
at 8:00 p.m.
Little Theater, Schoenberg Hall
Libretto by Giovacchino Forzano
Music by Giacomo Puccini
(Sung in Italian)
Setting
A small Italian convent in the 18th century.
Synopsis
For the seven years Angelica has been with the convent her background and personal history remain a mystery to the other nuns. The sisters work within the laws of monastic life and share their small hopes and grievances while Angelica stays to herself. Rumors of a noble Florentine family and a scandal in her past increase her unique position within the order.
One day in May during a recreation period a visitor for Angelica is announced. It is her Aunt, the Princess, who has come to secure Angelica’s signature on a document renouncing any further claim on the family’s fortune so her younger sister can marry. Angelica asks for news of her child. She is an unmarried mother who has taken the veil in penance. The Princess announces that her child is dead.
Hysterical, Angelica resolves on suicide and makes a deadly poison from herbs and flowers. After drinking she realizes that she has committed Mortal sin and cries to the Virgin for pardon. Dying, she sees a vision of the Holy Mother leading a little child toward her while an angelic chorus sings of salvation.
Libretto by Giovacchino Forzano
Music by Giacomo Puccini
(English Version by Pitt & Grossman)
Synopsis
Setting
The bed chamber of Buoso Donati overlooking the city of Florence in the year 1299.
Buoso Donati has died and left his considerable estate to charity. His grasping relatives, deeply shocked, decide to accept Rinuccio’s advice and ask help of Gianni Schicchi, a well-known local rogue and the father of Rinuccio’s sweetheart Lauretta. Schicchi’s approach is direct: the deceased is removed and Schicchi takes his place in bed. When even the doctor is fooled, the delighted relatives call in a notary to hear “Donati” make a new testament. Their delight turns to helpless rage, however, as the resourceful Schicchi wills the bulk of the old man’s property to himself. He chases them all out of his newly acquired house, all except, of course, his son-in-law to be, Rinuccio, who remains with Lauretta in their future home.
Gianni Schicchi