GIACOMO PUCCINI'S
SUOR ANGELICA and
GIANNI SCHICCHI

Feb. 27 and March 1, 2009
Ferguson Hall

Nuns and ne’er-do-wells meet in two one-act operas featuring emerging Opera Tampa Artists. 

Suor Angelica (Sister Angelica) is the tragic story of a young nun, Suor Angelica, sent to a convent by her wealthy, noble family for having a child out of wedlock. After hearing the news of her son’s death, she poisons herself, pleading to the Virgin Mary for redemption for her sin, suicide.  Suor Angelica features the beautiful and stirring aria “Senza mamma.”

Chaos ensues after Buoso Donati (an extremely wealthy man) dies. His money-grubbing relatives, pretending to be mourning his death, search frantically for his will. After it is found, and it is discovered that he left most of his money and possessions to the local monks, the family is horrified. They beg cunning Gianni Schicchi to find a solution. At first Schicchi does not want to help the family, but eventually agrees to impersonate Buoso Donati and attempt to change the will. In the end, Schicchi succeeds, but ends up giving most of the possessions to himself!

The two productions are the second and third of a trio of Puccini operas known as Il trittico.  Set to a libretto by Giovacchino Forzano, it received its world premiere at New York’s Metropolitan Opera on Dec. 14, 1918.  They will be sung in Italian with English translations projected above the stage.

Fri. 7:30 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m.

Single ticket prices and on-sale dates TBA.
Season tickets are $130.90-$258.40 and are on sale now. Call 813.229.STAR (7827).

• Synopsis
• Audio — Listen to an excerpt of "O mio babbino caro" from Gianni Schicchi and "Senza mamma, o bimbo, tu sei morto" from Suor Angelica.
• About the Composer
• Historical Perspective