Suor Angelica - 1996

Suor Angelica

An Opera in One Act
Music by Giacomo Puccini
Text by Grovacchino Forzano
*Premiere: Metropolitan Opera, 1918*

Synopsis

In the cloister of a convent we hear the birdsong heralding spring. The nuns are singing an Ave Maria. Late for chapel, two Lay-Sisters and Sister Angelica join the refrain. After service, the Monitress assigns penance to the latecomers who did not prosrate themselves for their tardiness before entering chapel. She also punishes Sister Lucille for causing laughter during service and Sister Osmina for hiding roses in her habit.

Sister Genevieve notices the convent fountain has turned gold in the setting sun. The Monitress remarks that this only happens for three evenings in May. The sisters remember Sister Biance Rosa who died at this time last year. Genevieve, brought up as a shepherdess, confesses that she longs to hold a spring time lamb (’Soave Signor mio’). Sister Dolcina confesses that she, too, has a desire. The sisters tease her, knowing that her wish is for something good to eat. When Angelica is asked for her desires, she denies having any. The sisters are shocked because they know she longs to hear news from her noble family that has forced her to take the veil.

The Nursing Sister enters with news that one of the nuns has been stung by wasps. Angelica, known for her medicial skills prepares a remedy from her plants. The Alms-Sisters arrive with the provisions for the convent (including some berries for Sister Dolcina). They tell of seeing a magnificent coach outside the cloister.

The Abbess enters and announces that Angelica has a visitor. It is her Aunt, the Princess, who has come to ask Angelica to sign away her inheritance as a dowry for her younger sister, Anna Viola, who is to marry. When Angelica asks who her sister will wed, her Aunt replies; a man who can overlook the shame Angelica has brought to their family. Angelica calls her Aunt’s coldness inexorable.

The Princess says that she often visits the grave of Angelica’s mother where she communes with the spirits of the dead only to call for atonement for Angelica’s sins. Angelica agrees to sign the document but demands news of her illegitimate son. The Aunt replies that the child died of fever two years earlier.

Stunned, Angelica collapses then recovers her strength to sign the document. When her Aunt leaves, she allows her grief for her child who never knew a mother’s love to pour forth (“Senza mamma, bimbo, tu sei morto’). As the nuns retire to their cells, Angelica bids them farewell.

Alone, she enters the courtyard and prepares poison from her plants. She will join her child in heaven. After taking the poison she realizes that she has committed a mortal sin and prays to the Virgin for salvation. A vision of the Holy Mother with Angelica’s child comforts the dying Angelica.

Orchestra