The Johnsonian

Issue date: 2/19/08 Section: Arts

From left: Music education major Will Royal, graduate student Heather Wilcox, graduate student Joel Vega, graduate student Peter Barton, music education major Jarvis Miller, music education major TJ Williams and music performance major Caroline Firczak plot a way to get around Buoso's will in the opera "Gianni Schicchi."

Buoso Donati, a wealthy aristocrat in Florence, passed away, leaving all his inheritance to friars in a monastery.
In an attempt to try and change the will, Gianni Schiccho steals Donati's identity to reclaim the family fortune.
Winthrop's music department is performing "Gianni Schicchi," an opera written by Giacome Puccini set in the 1900s. However, Winthrop's version of the opera has been adapted to the late 1960s and early 1970s.
In this Italian soap opera, Donati died and his pseudo grieving family members could not be any happier. That is until they realize he didn't leave any of his wealth to them. Outraged, they turn to Schicchi to help reclaim their fortune. Schicchi pretends to be Buoso in order to change the will and obtain house, a mule and a saw mill.
Joel Vega, music performance graduate student, said the play is about family feuds and betrayal.
"It's all the stuff we really like," Vega said. "It's reality TV before there was reality TV." Vega plays Simone, who is elder uncle in the family.
Vega said he wants audience members to be entertained and hopes they would want to see more.
"I hope [students] have eargasms," he said.
Peter Barton, music performance graduate student, plays the lead role of Gianni Schicchi.
"He is the common man who doesn't necessarily have book knowledge, but is very smart and everyone comes to him for advice," he said.
Barton said the play is considered a masterpiece and this updated version has a sort of "hippy" feel to it.
"How often do you get to see opera in an intimate setting for 50 minutes?" Barton asked.
Although the actual opera is performed in its original language, Italian, there will be subtitles in the background to let the audience know what is taking place. "Gianni Schicchi" is based on Dante's Inferno and is the only comedy in Puccini trilogy. The other two are tragedies.
The music department is hosting this opera because it had a lot of students who wanted to sing, said John Fowler, assistant professor of music and opera's director.
"The opera is a wonderful and entertaining experience for students," said Fowler. "[It] will give them a chance to see a grand opera up close."
He said the play is a combination of all forms of music.
"They will be able to see another art form and really enjoy it," Fowler said.
The opera will run from Feb. 21 through the 23 at 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 24 at 3 p.m. in Barnes Recital Hall. It is an approved cultural event. Tickets are $5 with student ID, $10 for faculty and staff and $15 for all others. For ticket information call 323-2255.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools