Pacific Opera Project presents two "family-friendly" one-act operas presented with large ensemble casts and orchestra. (This program will repeat on February 1 and February 2.)
Puccini's only comic opera, Gianni Schicchi tells the story of the Donati family. Once one of Florence's most influential and rich families, they have fallen on hard times and their fate depends entirely on the will of Buoso Donati. When Buoso passes (spoiler alert) the fight is one! "Where there's a will, there's a way" in this hilarious comedy.
L'enfant et les Sortilèges (The Child and the Spells) is about a young boy who is sent to his room alone after misbehaving. Much to his surprise, his toys, furniture, and pets come alive to teach him a lesson about acting out. Called a "Lyric Fantasy" by the composer, this short opera is perfect for kids of all ages.
The two operas are linked (for the first time ever as far as we can tell) through Gherardino, the youngest member of the Donati clan who becomes the "Enfant" in the second opera. Sometime after the events of Gianni Schicchi, he is sent to his room where his relatives and other characters from the first opera are superimposed on the inanimate objects and animals in his fantasy. How exactly does that work? You'll have to be there to find out.
Sung in Italian and French with projected supertitles. Total run time 2 hours 15 minutes.
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