Gianni Schicchi by Puccini
Music Direction by
Sandi Rabas
Stage Direction by
Doug Nagel
Sandi Rabas pianist
CAST
Schicchi-Robert Aaron Taylor
Lauretta-Erin Walker
Zita-Mary Ryan
Nella-Kimiko Bennion
Rinuccio-Scott Wichael
Gherardino-Amanda Leonard
Betto-Nathan Raschkow
Simone-Daren Small
Marco-Jacob Wittkopp
La Ciesca-Erin Small
Spinelloccio-Philip Johnson
Pinellino-Quentin Staton
Nicolao-Dennis Rupp
Guccio-Chris Sheppard
Synopsis
Buoso Donati has died in bed. His relatives mourn melodramatically,
until they hear the rumor that he has left all his money to the
local monastery. They frantically search for the will. Rinuccio
finds it, but refuses to release it to his aunt Zita until she
agrees to his terms. If the will is favorable to them, she must
allow him to marry Schicchi's daughter, Lauretta. Schicchi is looked
down on by the Donati family since he is a relatively new arrival in
Florence. Zita consents, and reads the will, as Rinuccio quietly
sends for Schicchi. When the will confirms the rumor, everyone is
furious. They refuse to allow Rinuccio to marry, and angrily turn
down his suggestion that Schicchi, who is known for his clever
schemes, can aid them.
Schicchi and Lauretta arrive to a cold reception. Schicchi, seeing
how downcast the relatives are, uncharitably assumes that Donati
must be better. He is informed otherwise, and attempts to console
the relatives by mentioning their inheritances. Zita, touched to the
quick by Schicchi's condolences, angrily explains the situation, and
refuses to hear of a marriage. Rinuccio begs Schicchi to help.
However, Schicchi, angered by his reception, refuses to help such
people. He is persuaded to try by his daughter. Schicchi reads the
will, and proclaims that nothing can be done. But then, Schicchi
sends his daughter away and orders the body to be moved to another
room, and tells the women to make up the bed. He ensures that no one
else knows of the death--but before he can explain, Donati's doctor
arrives. The doctor is prevented from entering by the relatives,
while Schicchi imitates Donati's voice, telling the doctor that
Donati is feeling better. The doctor departs, praising his own
skill. Schicchi explains, taking advantage of the darkened room and
disguised as Buoso, he will impersonate Donati and dictate a new
will.
Rinuccio goes to get the notary. The relatives mostly agree on the
division of the property, except for Donati's mule (the best in
Tuscany), some windmills in Signa and the house they are in, the
best assets. After a big fight they agree to let Schicchi decide who
will inherit those items, but, one by one, they return to promise
him a reward if he selects that person. Schicchi agrees to each
bribe. Before the notary arrives Schicchi reminds all of the
relatives what the penalty is for impersonation and forgery of a
will: loss of a hand and permanent exile from Florence.
The notary arrives with the witnesses. Schicchi dictates a will that
provides for a very modest funeral, a minuscule sum to the monastery
and the agreed-upon division, as the relatives speak approvingly.
But one by one, Schicchi grants the mule, mills, and house to
himself, to the relatives' outrage. After the notary leaves, he
throws everyone out and they are helpless to do anything except grab
what they can on the way out the door. Now that Schicchi can give
Lauretta a dowry, there is no obstacle to her marriage to Rinuccio.
The lovers embrace, as Schicchi watches, moved. Schicchi turns to
the audience and asks if this was not a fine use of Donati's money.
He then requests the audience's indulgence, even if he did not
receive Dante's, pleading extenuating circumstances.
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