“Gianni Schicchi” contains one of Puccini’s most celebrated arias, “O mio babbino caro.” It also presents a wonderful tenor aria: “Firenze è come un albero fiorito” (Florence is like a flowering tree) which will be sung by Anthony Kearns, singing the role of Rinuccio in April, 2005, for Opera Ireland. This aria has been recorded by such celebrated tenors as Placido Domingo and Juan Diego Florez.

“Gianni Schicchi” is the last of three one act operas which comprise “Il Trittico.” These operas were intended to be performed together, and premiered at the Met in New York December 18, 1918. In later years they, especially “Gianni Schicchi,” have often been performed alone, or in conjunction with other one act operas by varied composers. (In Ireland it will be paired with Alexander Zemlinsky's "The Florentine Tragedy.")

Briefly:

Set in medieval Florence, Buoso Donati, a wealthy Florentine aristocrat has died, leaving a will awarding his property to a nearby monastery.

The relatives must find a way around this! Rinuccio, in love with the daughter of the clever and cunning Gianni Schicchi, suggests that Gianni surely will be able to assist them. The relatives want no part of this country peasant and chide Rinuccio for wanting to marry into such a family.

In his own right, Gianni vows not to help this lot! But Lauretta, his lovely daughter, falls to her knees sobbing, begging for her father’s help: “O! Mio babbino caro.” She wants her Rinuccio, and she threatens to throw herself from the Ponte Vecchio into the Arno if she can’t have him.

At this, Gianni asks Rinuccio for the will. He paces, he dashes their hopes repeatedly: Nothing can be done! says he. “HOWEVER!......” Gianni proposes to impersonate the dead man. The first test: the doctor. He convinces the physician, who proudly announces that his patients never die! Next: the notary. He will be summoned to a darkened room where a dying Buoso Donati, lying in his bed, wishes to draw up a will.

But first: The greedy relatives must discuss how the estate will be divided. Equal portions? The land: to whom? The cacophony of demands for their prizes is interrupted by the tolling of a funeral bell. The gathering is stunned! How did anyone know that Donati has died?? Gherardo rushes to find what is happening and returns with the news: the tolling wasn’t for Donati! The relatives, all wanting to finish this business quickly, agree to the disposition of Donati’s possessions.

Before the notary arrives, the group is warned by Gianni: “First a warning: You know the proclamation?” He suggests that anyone who substitutes names in wills will be punished by the loss of a hand, and then exiled! The same for his accomplices. He sings a little ditty “Farewell, Florence, I wave farewell with this stump….” As he gestures with his handless arm.

Alas: a knock at the door! Rinuccio enters bringing the notary and two witnesses. In a shaking voice, Gianni bequeaths Buoso’s properties to his dear friend, GIANNI SCHICCHI!

The greedy relatives are furious, but powerless from fear of discovery, and loot the house. Quite the scene ensues with Gianni in nightshirt and cap caning the relatives to retrieve the goods!

Gianni Schicchi gives the house to the two young lovers, Lauretta and Rinuccio, and as they embrace he sings, directly to the audience, “Tell me gentlemen, if Buoso’s wealth could have gone to better ends than this?”