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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