Gianni Schicchi is the only comedic opera Puccini wrote. The story, which sounds like many families today, depicts the Donati family who are waiting on Buoso Donati to die so that they will inherit his riches and live the life of luxury they always wanted. When he does, damn the torpedoes.

In Ravel’s opera a young boy, after acting up one too many times, is sent to his room. While there, everything in his room comes to life. They have a message for the little brat about misbehaving.

So what do these operas have in common? Josh Shaw, director and designer, is linking them by having the young boy in L’enfant et les Sortilèges be Gherardino, the youngest of the Donati family. Shaw has stated that characters from Gianni Schicchi will somehow appear in this opera, too.

Joshua Horsch will conduct the three performances that all feature a cast of 16.

Traditional?  No. But is Pacific Opera Project about traditions or creating new ones?

Photo of Gianni Schicchi by (Courtesy of Pacific Opera Project)

The post Gianni Schicchi / L’enfant et les Sortilèges appeared first on Cultural Attaché.