Painting by Anna Lin

Il Trittico

Il Trittico is a trilogy of one-act operas that represent the classic dramatic archetypes: the tragic, the lyric, and the comic. Puccini chose from three contrasting social dimensions of his time: the Parisian proletariat in 1900, the aristocracy of the 17th century, and the world of small landowners in Florence in 1299. “Trittico,” a word of Greek origin, was used originally to describe a painting or a sculpture divided into three parts. The term was used later in other forms of art as a synonym for trilogy.

The first of the three, Il Tabarro (The Cloak), is a brooding Grand Guignol drama based on Didier Gold’s play La Houppelande. Considered one of Puccini’s darkest operas, it is a classic tale of jealousy, betrayal, and murder set on the river Seine in Paris.

The sentimental Suor Angelica was Puccini’s favorite of the operas of the Trittico, with its emphasis on gentle lyricism over dramatic thrust. This tale of guilt and redemption centers on a young woman who bears a child out of wedlock and is sent to a convent to repent for her sins.

Inspired by the commedia dell’arte theatrical tradition, Gianni Schicchi is Puccini’s only comic opera and features the well-known soprano aria “O mio babbino caro.” The story of the opera is derived from a passage in the 30th canto of Dante’s Inferno. After a man leaves his entire fortune to a monastery, his greedy family seeks the help of Gianni Schicchi to remedy the situation.

These three works are often presented separately; simultaneously rendering each opera’s uniqueness while staying true to the unity of the entire work as Puccini intended is considered a daunting task. But while each opera stands alone, the three come together to create a sense of a complete event, rich in contrasting textures and musical forms.

Opera Potpourri

Angels Vocal Art’s singers take center stage for two spectacular evenings of beloved scenes, featuring ensembles from Mozart to modern-day composers.