Opera in the Open

Opera in the Open is an initiative of Dublin City Council that presents live performances of operatic work in the open air in Dublin City Centre

This much loved annual opera season takes place every Thursday during the month of August at the Dublin City Council Civic Office Amphitheatre, Wood Quay, Dublin 8.

August 24th
Gianni Schicchi (Giacomo Puccini)

As Buoso Donati lies dead in his curtained four-poster bed, his relatives gather round to mourn his passing, but are really more interested in learning the contents of his will. They find that he has left all his money to a Monastery. Rinuccio, a young nephew, wants to enlist the assistance of Gianni Schicchi, whose daughter Lauretta he hopes to marry. The relatives sneer at Schicchi because of his humble origins. Rinuccio and Lauretta beg Schicchi to help as Rinuccio cannot marry Lauretta unless he inherits some money. Lauretta makes a final plea to him with “O Mio Babbino Caro” and he agrees to look at the will. An idea comes to him. Buoso has now died. Schicchi arranges for the body to be hidden. The doctor arrives and Schicchi conceals himself behind the bed curtains, mimics Buoso’s voice and declares that he’s feeling better; he asks the doctor to return that evening. Schicchi reveals to the family that he will disguise himself as Buoso and dictate a new will. Everyone’s delighted! The notary arrives, and Schicchi starts to dictate the new will, leaving the bulk of the estate to himself!!! Schicchi slyly reminds them of the penalties that discovery of the ruse will bring. There is now no bar to Rinuccio and Lauretta’s marriage.

Cast: Ecaterina Tulgara, Brendan Collins, Collette Delahunt, Richard Shaffrey, Sandra Oman, Martha Bredin, Fearghal Curtis, David Howes, John Molloy, Simon Morgan, Tim Shaffrey
Director: Eoin Cannon
Musical Director: David Wray