Metropolitan Opera Archives

Of Puccini's once-famous triptych only "Gianni Schicchi" appears to have sufficient vitality to interest the Metropolitan customers. "Suor Angelica" and "Il Tabarro" the other segments of Puccini's three-in-one entertainment will eventually, if all signs are true, follow the same composer's "Girl of the Golden West" into whatever bourne is set aside for the eternal reception of music that is stillborn.

In reality "Gianni Schicchi," is, in so far as its music is concerned, as deserving of oblivion as its less fortunate brethren of the triptych. It has, however, the good luck of an amusing story and, given with an excellent ensemble of singing actors, as it was presented last night, by fifteen experienced members of Mr. Gatti's salary list, the little comedy achieved an hour's amusement, if not music.

Humor and satire are probably the most difficult things to encompass in art, and Puccini was not among the very few who could make an orchestra smile. His attempts at humor in 'La Boh?me" have always seemed to me pretty sad interruptions of the things he was best fitted to do - sentiment, passion and the lachrymose emotions. In "Gianni Schicchi" he goes after straight satire and finds himself quite at sea.

Last night the spectacle was enormously helped by the comic gifts of Mr. de Luca who, at the curtain, stepped out of character to speak the epilogue in quaint, but understandable, English. Mr. Pinza, as the grasping rascal, Simone, was a likeness of a medieval skinflint, and the rest of the rapacious crew who plot to inherit the possessions of the deceased Buoso Donati of Florence were more colorful in action than one ordinarily expects of minor characters in an opera house. Miss Grace Moore as Lauretta assumed her second role with much credit to herself and Mr. Gatti's judgment. Her lovely, vibrant singing was unmarred last night by any deviations from the pitch.

Mr. Bellezza led the singers and orchestra through the humors of "Gianni Schicchi" and the more tragic emotions of "Pagliacci," which followed the Puccini comedy. The latter engaged the talents of Miss Mary Lewis and the Messrs. Johnson, Basiola, Tedesco and Tibbett.

Search by season: 1927-28

Search by title: Gianni Schicchi, Pagliacci,

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