GIANNI SCHICCHI

A comic opera in one act by Giacomo Puccini

PRESENTED BY:
Cultural Center of the Philippines
in cooperation with Lyric Opera Philippines
under the auspices of Embassy of Italy in Manila
and Societa Dante Alighieri Comitato

DATE/TIME/ VENUE:
February 12, 2017 | 7:00PM
Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theater)

THE STORY OF GIANNI SCHICCHI:

Like vultures, family members gather round the bed of the recently deceased
aristocrat, Buoso Donati, to mourn his passing, while secretly hoping to
inherit his great fortune. Betto, Donati's estranged brother-in-law, mentions a
rumor that upsets the family. He has heard that Donati has left his entire
fortune to a monastery. The family begins to frantically search for Donati's
will. It is finally found by Rinuccio, the son of Donati's cousin, Zita. Rinuccio
pulls Zita aside and asks for permission to marry Lauretta, the daughter of
Gianni Schicchi. She tells him that he can marry whomever he pleases once
he gains his inheritance.

Rinuccio sends a note to Gianni Schicchi and his daughter.

When the will is read, their fears have come true. Donati has in fact left his
fortune to a monastery. When peasants, Gianni Schicchi and Lauretta arrive,
they are treated poorly by the family. Rinuccio thinks that Schicchi can help
recover Donati's wealth. Schicchi is insulted by the family's behavior and
refuses to help. When Lauretta begs him (singing the famous "O mio babbino
caro"), he finally changes his mind.

When Schicchi puts his plan in motion, he commands that everyone present
mustn't tell anyone of Donati's death. They move the lifeless body into
another room and call upon the doctor. Schicchi hides behind the bed
curtains when the doctor arrives. Delighted in Donati's recovery, the doctor
departs boasting of his admirable skills, none the wiser he has been duped.
Schicchi now has paperwork documenting that Donati is still alive. Disguising
himself as Donati, he begins to create a new will. The family couldn't be any
happier as they start claiming possessions (each has secretly bribed Schicchi
into including particular items for them in the will). It isn't long that death
bells ring from the church. Fearing that news of Donati's death has spread,
they are relieved to find out that the bells are signalling the death of their
neighbor's servant. There are three remaining items that have yet to be
distributed: the house, mule, and the mills. Since the family cannot
determine who should get them, they leave it to Schicchi's discretion. When
the notary arrives, Schicchi begins to dictate the new will. He lists the items
that each family member has bribed him to include, which delights each one.
However, he states that he leaves his house, mill, and mule to his "good
friend, Gianni Schicchi." The family is instantly furious, but they are unable to
say a word. Should they speak up, the notary will discover their ploy and void
the will. Not only that, the law states that any lying party member will have
their hand chopped off. When the new will is notarized and the official
leaves, the family erupts into a fuming argument. Schicchi kicks them all out
of the house, which now belongs to him. Rinuccio and Lauretta stay behind
after Schicchi approved their union.

(http://classicalmusic.about.com/od/opera-synopses-a-thru-k/qt/Gianni-
Schicchi-Synopsis.htm)

PERFORMING CAST:
Gianni Schicchi (baritone) NOEL AZCONA
Lauretta, his daughter (soprano) ELISANTA CORTES
Rinuccio, Zitas nephew, in love with Lauretta (tenor) RANDY GILONGO
Zita, Buoso Donatis cousin (contralto) VIDAGRACE MIRANG
Simone, Donatis cousin (bass) CARLO BUNYI
Gherardo, Donatis nephew (tenor) DAVE DE JESUS
Nella, Gherardos wife (soprano) TONTON PASCUAL
Gherardino, their son (child soprano or contralto) IVETTE SALAS
Marco, Simones son (baritone) JOSELEO LOGDAT
La Ciesca, Marcos wife (mezzo-soprano) JANE WEE
Betto, Donatis brother-in-law (baritone or bass) JOHN OCAMPOS
Maestro Spinelloccio, a physician (bass) JEFF BASA
Ser Amantio di Nicolao, a notary (baritone) JOHN PITAS
Pinellino, a cobbler and witness (bass) JEFF BASA
Guccio, a dyer and witness (bass) KELVIN GALANO

MUSICIANS:
PIANO : MICHELLE NICOLASORA

CREATIVE TEAM:
DIRECTOR: SHERWIN SOZON
COSTUME DESIGNS: CHOPSUEYS
LIGHT DESIGN: ROLDAN LOZANO
GRAPHIC DESIGNS: KENNETH CATAYLO

PRODUCTION TEAM:
STAGE MANAGER : JOHN MARK CALICA
STAGE HANDS: ABBIE FERN ABUALADA AND ROMAN FERRER
PHOTOGRAPHY: WARREN CHUA OF FAITH PHOTOGRAPHY
REHEARSAL MASTER: PETER PORTICOS

TICKET INFORMATION:
Ticket Price: P1,000
Discounts: 50% student, 20% senior citizen, 20% pwd
Call 832-3704 | 891-9999