As can be confirmed by those who've seen him with The Irish Tenors, in solo performances, and talking with people at Meet and Greets: the man has a great wit. Let me assure you, in this comedic opera, he was in his element!

The entire cast was impeccable. Their voices were superb and their acting skills a joy to behold. Needless to say Anthony was, well, incredible. His voice was beautiful, both as a soloist, in duets and in chorus. He was easy to pick out even when the whole cast sang together. It was pure pleasure to hear him sing! Especially lovely was his solo, "Firenze e come un albero fiorito" and Lauretta's "O! Mio babbino caro" was lovely, as well.

The first review posted on this site told the story of "Gianni Schicchi." As I recall it, Gianni, posing as Uncle Buoso kept the house, mule and mills for himself - to enable his daughter, Lauretta, and Rinuccio to marry.

I will try to describe here some specific moments during the opera.

At the beginning, standing alone by his deceased uncle's bedside, Anthony pretends to cry and mourn for his lost uncle (as did the other assembled relatives). The motions of his visible hand, wiping at his eyes, and around his face were a sight to behold. The entire family was pretending to mourn a man of whom they weren't terribly fond.

When they realize the possibility that Uncle Buoso has left his estate to the monks, they decide to look for the will. They run around the stage looking in drawers, behind objects, and Anthony dives under the deceased's bed headfirst, with his lower legs and feet sticking out while scissor kicking them; he then pops up on the other side.

At various times throughout the opera Anthony's eyes grow wide, he smirks, he performs other antics, and he is always superb. The will was finally found in the deceased's hands, and different family members try to wrest it from his stiff fingers. One relative even used her purse straps to try to release it. Especially funny was when Anthony grabbed the will from his cousin after Schicchi has arrived and asks to see it. It was a very “take that, I'm satisfied with myself” look.

One relative constantly eats through the opera. Two of the male relatives make eyes at each other, especially when folding a cloth between them, as women will do folding sheets. Twice, all but Anthony try to steal the objects in the room, as they fear that in the end, it may be all they get!

When the notary comes to write the will, he brings two witnesses. One female cousin thinks they are looking at her shapely legs, and realize they may see their dead uncle under the bed where he was hidden just as the notary arrived. She makes very coquettish gestures to keep their attention focused on her rather than the body's hiding place.

All's well that end's well: the two witnesses can't convince the notary to look under the bed, so they accept payment for their services and walk out with the notary. Lauretta and Rinuccio sing beautifully, happily kiss, and tenderly embrace each other, finally, in the background.

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