Three one-act operas, three complementary registers, three different locations and three ‘colours’, as Puccini adds a social dimension to this tripartite structure. For his second time directing at La Monnaie, Tobias Kratzer preserves the original order of the pieces, while weaving them together to form a narrative whole, like a circle with no end.
Il tabarro
A drama of jealousy on a barge moored near Notre-Dame, set in the Paris of the early 20th century. Giorgetta’s lover Luigi, a longshoreman, is surprised by her husband, Michele, who strangles him and then forces his wife to contemplate the dead man’s face.
Suor Angelica
In a 17th century convent, Sister Angelica atones for her sin of bringing dishonour to her family when she gave birth to an illegitimate child. When she devastatingly learns of her son’s death, she poisons herself so that she can join him in heaven.
Gianni Schicchi
In Florence in 1299, some dishonest heirs imprudently accept the help of the cunning Gianni Schicchi. He offers to impersonate their wealthy relative Buoso Donati, who has just died and left all his possessions to the convent. Taking the place of the dead man, Gianni Schicchi manages to dictate a new will that declares any previous will null and void and ensures his own enrichment.
