L'amico Fritz

Pietro Mascagni

June 10, 15, 17, 21, 23, 25 at 8pm

First performed at the Teatro Costanzi in Rome on 31 October 1891

Libretto by P. Suardon (Nicola Daspuro) from Erckmann-Chatrian’s story L’ami Fritz

Sung in Italian with English surtitles

New production

Conductor Stuart Stratford
Director Annilese Miskimmon
Designer Nicky Shaw
Lighting Designer Mark Jonathan

Fritz Eric Margiore
Suzel Anna Leese
David David Stephenson
Beppe Patricia Orr
Caterina Susan Young
Hanezo Simon Wilding
Frederico Robert Burt

A new production of Mascagni’s ‘follow-up’ to Cavalleria Rusticana (an opera that cast him reluctantly as the king of verismo) in which we find the composer in a gentler and more inventive mood. Fritz is the archetypal landowner, urbane and cynical. He takes a bet with his friend David that he will never marry – but that was before he met Suzel!  The opera’s ‘Cherry Duet’ has become an enduringly popular piece among the public and Fritz is a wonderful example of late Italian romantic opera from one of its most exciting exponents.

The exciting soprano Anna Leese (Francesca da Rimini, 2010) takes the role of Suzel and OHP favourite Stuart Stratford conducts. Annilese Miskimmon whose last production at OHP was the sensational Iolanta, directs.

> Read the synopsis for this opera...