Opera Workshop Gianni Schicchi

OPERA WORKSHOP PRESENTS PUCCINI'S GIANNI SCHICCHI

The Department of Music at Texas Wesleyan University will present an Opera Workshop production of Gianni Schicchi at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18, in Martin Hall. Giacomo Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi is a one-act comic opera set in Florence, Italy. A musical and theatrical romp, the opera tells a story of family, greed, and finally, love. As the opera opens, Buoso, the patriarch of the prominent Donati family, has died. His family members rush, grieving, to his side. Their grief quickly turns to fury as they discover that Buoso has left all his money to the church! The family enlists the help of the local go-to guy, Gianni Schicchi. He quickly devises a scheme for them, but in the end he nimbly turns the tables on the greedy family.

The cast of Gianni Schicchi is comprised of thirteen Wesleyan music majors, ranging from freshmen to seniors. Sophomore David Gast sings the title role. Schicchi’s daughter and her Donati-family boyfriend are sung by freshman Kerri Maestas and senior Ryan Amador. Ashlie Averyt, Jonah Copeland, Matthew Gassett, Keith Groh, Janna McKinley, Leticia Michael, Kayla Noriega, and Matthew Peeples portray the hapless relatives of the deceased Buoso. Jessica Steels doubles as both the doctor and the lawyer, while Leslie Elston and Kayla Noriega appear as unsuspecting witnesses to the twisted deceptions. Jennifer Carr and Eileen Downey provide the orchestration on two pianos. Julie McCoy directs the production, assisted by Jennifer Carr.

Giacomo Puccini is one of history’s most beloved composers, and Gianni Schicchi contains what is arguably the world’s best-known aria, “O mio babbino caro.”

The concert is free and open to the public. For more information, call 817-531-4992. Martin Hall is located on the Texas Wesleyan campus at 1309 Wesleyan St., Fort Worth, TX 76105.

Online: Texas Wesleyan Music

Office of Communications