
Gianni Schicchi 1960
Hilarity abounds…
…when family members, disgruntled when a recently deceased relative leaves them nothing, scheme to rewrite his will before others become aware of his death!
(presented on a double bill with Oedipus Rex)
Synopsis
Opera in One Act
Buoso Donati, wealthy but miserly Florentine, has taken his last breath. The deathbed is surrounded by grasping relatives who vie with each other in expressions of grief until they learn that old Buoso may have left his money to the monks. If the will has not yet been filed, however, there is still hope. After a frantic search, Rinuccio finds the will and extracts a promise from his aunt that she will consent to his marriage with Lauretta, daughter of Gianni Schicchi. Zita grudgingly gives permission and Rinuccio sends the little boy, Gherardino, to fetch Schicchi before his aunt can change her mind.
The will is opened and the relatives’ worse suspicions are confirmed. Rinuccio suggests chat they apply to the clever Schicchi for help, but this suggestion is met with scorn. When Schicchi enters, he is at first puzzled by the now sincere expressions of sorrow he finds on all sides. When he learns of Buoso’s final prank, Zita, in a fury, invites him to leave, but Lauretta pleads with her father, and he consents to try to find a way of circumventing the will. After assuring himself that no one outside of the room has learned of Buoso’s death, he conceives a scheme and is about to put it into effect when a knock at the door announces the visit of Buoso’s physician. Imitating Buoso’s shaking voice, Schicchi persuades the near-sighted doctor to return later that evening. Then he explains his plan to the family: he will impersonate Buoso and dictate a new will to the notary.
The relatives all state their preferences for portions of the estate, but when they are through, the three most valuable items are left unclaimed: the mule, the house and the saw-mills at Signa. Simone tries to claim them but is deterred by the rest of the family. This argument is interrupted by the tolling of a funeral bell and everyone fears that word of Buoso’s death has reached the outside. Gherardo discovers that the bell is tolling because of the death of the servant of a local dignitary. The disposition of the three choice items is left to the good judgment of Schicchi. As the relatives prepare him for the impersonation, each tries to bribe him, and he agrees to all of their propositions. Before climbing into bed, Schicchi reminds the family that the penalty for falsifying a will is amputation of the right hand and exile from Florence.
The notary and witnesses arrive and Schicchi dictates in Buoso’s trembling voice, leaving the minor portions of the estate to the relatives as they had requested. However, he leaves the three choice items to “his dear friend, Gianni Schicchi.” The relatives threaten to rebel but they are reminded of the penalty of amputation. When the notary and witnesses leave, they vent their anger on Schicchi who orders chem out.
Lauretta and Rinuccio come in from the balcony, singing of their love and their forthcoming marriage. Schicchi, who wisely recognizes that the entire Donati fortune will be reunited with them, asks the audience to pardon his trickery.
Artists

José Ferrer
Baritone
Gianni Schicchi
José Ferrer
Hometown: San Juan, Puerto Rico
SFO Debut:
Gianni Schicchi, Gianni Schicchi, 1960

Jeanette Scovotti
Soprano
Lauretta
Jeanette Scovotti
Hometown: New York, NY
SFO Debut:
Gianetta, The Gondoliers, 1960
Past Seasons:
Queen of the Night, The Magic Flute, 1969
Nightingale, Le Rossignol, 1969
Gilda, Rigoletto, 1966
Lucia, Lucia di Lammermoor, 1965
Gilda, Rigoletto, 1964 (August 26 – 29)
Nightingale, Le Rossignol, 1962
Clorinda, Cinderella, 1960
Lauretta, Gianni Schicchi, 1960

Elaine Bonazzi
Mezzo-soprano
Zita
Elaine Bonazzi
SFO Debut:
Mrs. Linton, Wuthering Heights, 1958
Past Seasons:
Mrs. Peachum, The Beggar’s Opera, 1992
Herodias, Salome, 1976
Marcellina, The Marriage of Figaro, 1976 (August 12 – 18)
Old Woman, Yerma, 1971
Marcellina, The Marriage of Figaro, 1971
Grand Duchess of Gerolstein, Grand Duchess of Gerolstein, 1971
Herodias, Salome, 1967
Baba the Turk, The Rake’s Progress, 1966
Countess Geschwitz, Lulu, 1964
La Chatte\ La tasse Chinoise\ La Libellule, L’enfant et les sortilèges, 1964
Zita, Gianni Schicci, 1964
Carmen, Carmen, 1964 (July 18 – 25)
Countess Geschwitz, Lulu, 1963
La Chatte\ La tasse Chinoise\ La Libellule, L’enfant et les sortilèges, 1963
Death, Le Rossignol, 1963
St. Catherine, Joan of Arc at the Stake, 1963
Herodias, Salome, 1962
Baba the Turk, The Rake’s Progress, 1962
Mother, Mavra, 1962
Death, Le Rossignol, 1962
Mrs. Pick, News of the Day, 1961
Baba the Turk, The Rake’s Progress, 1960
Marcellina, The Marriage of Figaro, 1960
Duchess of Plaza-Toro, The Gondoliers, 1960
Zita, Gianni Schicci, 1960
Thisbe, Cinderella, 1960
Regina Giddens, Regina, 1959 (July 29 – 31)
Prince Orlofsky, Die Fledermaus, 1959 (August 7 – 18)
Smeaton, Anna Bolena, 1959
Thisbe, Cinderella, 1958

William Lewis
Tenor
Rinuccio
William Lewis
Hometown: Tulsa, OK
SFO Debut:
Marco Palmieri, The Gondoliers, 1960 (June 22 – July 16)
Past Seasons:
Alfredo, La traviata, 1976
Narraboth, Salome, 1976
John Adams, The Mother of Us All, 1976
Rodolfo, La bohème, 1974
Alwa, Lulu, 1974
Danilo, The Merry Widow, 1973
Rodolfo, La bohème, 1973
Cavaradossi, Tosca, 1960
Alfredo, La traviata, 1960
Rinuccio, Gianni Schicci, 1960

Rolf Sander
Tenor
Gherardo
Rolf Sander
Hometown: Frankfurt, Germany
SFO Debut:
Bardolf, Falstaff, 1958
Past Seasons:
Valzacchi, Der Rosenkavalier, 1961
Alcindoro, La bohėme, 1961
Basilio, The Marriage of Figaro, 1961
Shepherd, Oedipus Rex, 1961
Gherardo, Gianni Schicchi, 1960
Basilio, The Marriage of Figaro, 1960
Shepherd, Oedipus Rex, 1960
Spoletta, Tosca, 1960
Lord Harvey, Anna Bolena, 1959
Fiorello, The Barber of Seville, 1959
Dr. Blind, Die Fledermaus, 1959
Goro, Madame Butterfly, 1959
Monsieur Taupe, Capriccio, 1958

Maria di Gerlando
Soprano
Nella
Maria di Gerlando
Hometown: Luzerne County, PA
SFO Debut:
Birdie, Regina, 1959
Past Seasons:
Tosca, Tosca, 1966 (August 13 – 25)
Italian Soprano, Capriccio, 1966
Violetta, La traviata, 1962
Cook, Le Rossignol, 1962
Violetta, La traviata, 1960
Nella, Gianni Schicchi, 1960
Countess Almaviva, The Marriage of Figaro, 1960

Ronnie de Moraes
Treble
Gherardino
Ronnie de Moraes
Hometown: New York, NY
SFO Debut:
Gherardino, Gianni Schicchi, 1960
Past Seasons:
Shepherd Boy, Tosca, 1960

Wayne Long
Bass
Betto
Wayne Long
Hometown: Ponca City, OK
Santa Fe Opera Apprentice: 1960, 1961
Past Seasons:
Custom House Sergeant, La bohėme, 1961
Jailor, Tosca, 1960
Betto, Gianni Schicchi, 1960

Gimi Beni
Bass-baritone
Simone
Gimi Beni
Hometown: Philadelphia, PA
SFO Debut:
Grand Inquisitor, The Gondoliers, 1960
Past Seasons:
Billy Jackrabbit, La fanciulla del West, 1991
Morbio, Die schweigsame Frau, 1991
Notary, Der Rosenkavalier, 1989
Le Baron, Chérubin, 1989
Frank, Die Fledermaus, 1988
Prince Yamadori, Madame Butterfly, 1987
Morbio, Die schweigsame Frau, 1987
Ivan Yakovlevich, The Nose, 1987
Frank, Die Fledermaus, 1986
Un Licteur, Orpheus in the Underworld, 1985
Stephano, The Tempest, 1985
Bartolo, The Marriage of Figaro, 1970
Trulove, The Rake’s Progress, 1970
Emperor of China, Le Rossignol, 1970
Dr. Turtlespit, Help! Help! The Globolinks, 1970
Prince Yamadori, Madame Butterfly, 1968
Speaker, The Magic Flute, 1968
Dr. Dulcamara, The Elixir of Love, 1968
Benoit/Alcindoro, La bohème, 1967
Bartolo, The Marriage of Figaro, 1967
Bartolo, The Barber of Seville, 1967
Fifth Jew, Salome, 1967
Count of Monterone, Rigoletto, 1966
Sacristan, Tosca, 1966
Trulove, The Rake’s Progress, 1966
Don Magnifico, Cinderella, 1966
Bartolo, The Marriage of Figaro, 1965
Ivan Yakovlevich, The Nose, 1965
Bartolo, The Marriage of Figaro, 1964
Benoit, La bohème, 1964
Simone, Gianni Schicci, 1964
Dr. Goll, Lulu, 1964
Sacristan, Tosca, 1960
Trulove, The Rake’s Progress, 1960
Creon, Oedipus Rex, 1960
Simone, Gianni Schicci, 1960

Rodney Stenborg
Baritone
Marco
Rodney Stenborg
Hometown: Detroit, MI
Santa Fe Opera Apprentice: 1960, 1961
Past Seasons:
Barney, The Ballad of Baby Doe, 1961
Morales, Carmen, 1961
Marco, Gianni Schicchi, 1960

Marilyn King
Mezzo-soprano
La Ciesca
Marilyn King
Hometown: Council Bluffs, IA
Santa Fe Opera Apprentice: 1960
Past Seasons:
Vittoria, The Gondoliers, 1960
La Ciesca, Gianni Schicchi, 1960

Andrew Foldi
Bass-baritone
Master Spinelloccio
Andrew Foldi
Hometown: Budapest, Hungary
SFO Debut:
Doctor Bartolo, The Barber of Seville, 1957
Past Seasons:
Speaker, The Magic Flute, 1980
A Struggling Soul, Die Jakobsleiter, 1980
Schigolch, Lulu, 1979
Bartolo, The Marriage of Figaro, 1976
Schigolch, Lulu, 1974
Baron Ochs, Der Rosenkavalier, 1968
Director, La bohėme, 1964
Baron Ochs, Der Rosenkavalier, 1963
Baron Ochs, Der Rosenkavalier, 1961
Benoit, La bohème, 1961
Bartolo, The Marriage of Figaro, 1961
Baron d’Houdoux, News of the Day, 1961
Don Magnifico, Cinderella, 1960
Master Spinelleccio, Gianni Schicci, 1960
Tiresias, Oedipus Rex, 1960
Bartolo, The Marriage of Figaro, 1960
Henry VIII, Anna Bolena, 1959
Osmin, Abduction from the Seraglio, 1959
Doctor Bartolo, The Barber of Seville, 1959
Benoit/Alcindoro, La bohème, 1958
Don Alfonso, Così fan tutte, 1958
Pistol, Falstaff, 1958
Don Magnifico, Cinderella, 1958
Uberto, La serva padrona, 1957
Truffaldin. Ariadne auf Naxos, 1957

Russell Love
Bass
Amantio di Nocolao
Russell Love
Hometown: Ravenna, NE
Santa Fe Opera Apprentice: 1960, 1961
Past Seasons:
Zuniga, Carmen, 1961
Amantio di Nocolao, Gianni Schicchi, 1960
Giorgio, The Gondoliers, 1960

Jerry McLain
Bass
Pinellino
Jerry McLain
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Santa Fe Opera Apprentice: 1959, 1960
Past Seasons:
Pinellino, Gianni Schicchi, 1960

Richard Best
Bass-baritone
Guccio
Richard Best
Hometown: Chicago, IL
SFO Debut:
Dr. Grenvil, La Traviata, 1965
Santa Fe Opera Apprentice: 1959, 1960, 1961
Past Seasons:
Second Armored Man, The Magic Flute, 1984
Aide, We Come to the River, 1984
Bartolo, The Marriage of Figaro, 1982
Jarno, Mignon, 1982
Old Plain Talk, The Confidence Man, 1982
General Boum, Grand Duchess of Gerolstein, 1974
Bartolo, The Marriage of Figaro, 1971
Speaker, The Magic Flute, 1971
Baron Grog, Grand Duchess of Gerolstein, 1971
Friar, Don Carlo, 1971
Sacristan, Tosca, 1969
Second Priest, The Magic Flute, 1969
Fifth Jew, Salome, 1969
Dr. Turtlespit, Help! Help! The Globolinks, 1969
Bontemps, The Devils of Loudun, 1969
Dr. Grenvil, La Traviata, 1968
Bonze, Madame Butterfly, 1968
Second Priest, The Magic Flute, 1968
Notary, Der Rosenkavalier, 1968
Bonze, Madame Butterfly, 1965
Antonio, The Marriage of Figaro, 1965
Vendor/Coachman/General, The Nose, 1965
Antonio, The Marriage of Figaro, 1961
Marschallin’s Attorney/Police Commissioner, Der Rosenkavalier, 1961
Jacob, The Ballad of Baby Doe, 1961
Museum Guide, News of the Day, 1961
Antonio, The Marriage of Figaro, 1960
Guccio, Gianni Schicchi, 1960
Cal, Regina, 1959

Earl Wild
Conductor
Earl Wild
Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
SFO Debut:
La traviata, 1960
Past Seasons:
Gianni Schicchi, 1960

Hans Busch
Director
Hans Busch
Hometown: Aachen, Germany
SFO Debut:
Gianni Schicchi, 1960
Past Seasons:
Oedipus Rex, 1961
Perséphone, 1961
The Marriage of Figaro, 1961
Der Rosenkavalier, 1961
Oedipus Rex, 1960

Henry Heymann
Designer
Scenery and Costumes
Henry Heymann
SFO Debut:
The Barber of Seville, 1959 (Scenic Designer)
Past Seasons:
Salome, 1967 (Scenic & Costume Designer)
The Marriage of Figaro, 1967 (Costume Designer)
Don Giovanni, 1966 (Costume Designer)
Rigoletto, 1966 (Costume Designer)
La traviata, 1965 (Scenic & Costume Designer)
The Marriage of Figaro, 1965 (Costume Designer)
La bohème, 1964 (Scenic & Costume Designer)
Daphne, 1964 (Scenic & Costume Designer)
Gianni Schicchi, 1964 (Costume Designer)
L’enfant et les sortilèges, 1964 (Scenic Designer)
Carmen, 1964 (Scenic & Costume Designer)
The Marriage of Figaro, 1964 (Costume Designer)
Rigoletto, 1964 (Costume Designer)
L’enfant et les sortilèges, 1963 (Scenic Designer)
Le Rossignol, 1963 (Scenic & Costume Designer)
Joan of Arc at the Stake, 1963 (Scenic & Costume Designer)
Don Giovanni, 1963 (Scenic & Costume Designer)
Die Fledermaus, 1963 (Scenic & Costume Designer)
The Rake’s Progress, 1962 (Scenic & Costume Designer)
Tosca, 1962 (Scenic & Costume Designer)
Perséphone, 1962 (Scenic & Costume Designer)
Oedipus Rex, 1962 (Scenic & Costume Designer)
Renard, 1962 (Scenic & Costume Designer)
Mavra, 1962 (Scenic & Costume Designer)
Le Rossignol, 1962 (Scenic & Costume Designer)
Joan of Arc at the Stake, 1962 (Scenic & Costume Designer)
La traviata, 1962 (Scenic & Costume Designer)
Salome, 1962 (Scenic & Costume Designer)
News of the Day, 1961 (Scenic & Costume Designer)
The Marriage of Figaro, 1961 (Scenic & Costume Designer)
La bohème, 1961 (Scenic Designer)
Carmen, 1961 (Scenic & Costume Designer)
Perséphone, 1961 (Scenic Designer)
Oedipus Rex, 1961 (Scenic Designer)
The Marriage of Figaro, 1960 (Scenic & Costume Designer)
Tosca, 1960 (Scenic & Costume Designer)
The Rake’s Progress, 1960 (Scenic Designer)
Oedipus Rex, 1960 (Scenic Designer)
Gianni Schicchi, 1960 (Scenic & Costume Designer)
Cinderella, 1960 (Scenic Designer)
La traviata, 1960 (Scenic & Costume Designer)
The Gondoliers, 1960 (Scenic & Costume Designer)
Regina, 1959 (Scenic Designer)

Robert L. Benson
Lighting Designer
Robert L. Benson
Hometown: Abilene, TX
SFO Debut:
La bohėme, 1958
Past Seasons:
Carmen, 1961
Der Rosenkavalier, 1961
La bohėme, 1961
The Marriage of Figaro, 1961
News of the Day, 1961
Oedipus Rex, 1961
Perséphone, 1961
The Ballad of Baby Doe, 1961
Cinderella, 1960
Gianni Schicchi, 1960
The Gondoliers, 1960
La traviata, 1960
Oedipus Rex, 1960
The Rake’s Progress, 1960
The Barber of Seville, 1959
Regina, 1959
Gianni Schicchi 1960
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