L'amico Fritz
Pietro Mascagni
Performances on June 10, 15, 17, 21, 23, 25
New
production
Opera in three acts
Sung in Italian with English surtitles
Libretto by P. Suardon (Nicola Daspuro) after Erckmann-Chatrian's
story L'ami Fritz
A new production of Mascagni’s ‘follow-up’ to Cavalleria
Rusticana 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.
Read the synopsis....
Act One
Fritz Kobus is talking to his
friend the rabbi David and despite his disregard for marriage, he
agrees to put forward the dowry for a young couple. Fritz is
celebrating his birthday and is given a present by Suzel, the
daughter of one of his tenants. David comments that she would make
a good bride and decides to find her a husband but Fritz insists
that she is too young. They continue arguing about marriage and
Fritz bets one of his vineyards that he will never get married.
Act Two
Fritz is helping Suzel pick
cherries when David arrives. Fritz leaves to look over the farms
and David suggests to Suzel that she should become a bride; Suzel
becomes embarrassed and leaves. Upon Fritz’s return David says to
him that he has found the perfect husband for Suzel and when left
alone Fritz realises that he is in love with her.
Act Three
Beppe the gypsy is trying to
cheer Fritz up with a song on his violin, but Fritz is becoming
more and more depressed about Suzel. David enters and tells Fritz
she is engaged and her father will need his blessing soon. Fritz
refuses angrily to give his blessing and leaves. Suzel enters and
David assures her all will be ok, but when she is left alone she
proclaims her real love for Fritz. Fritz enters and they speak
about her engagement and upon sensing she doesn’t love her
betrothed, he admits his true feelings for her, as does she in
return. David enters pronouncing he has won the bet, saying that he
will give the vineyard to Suzel as a wedding present.
> Read about the other operas this
season