Two operas chronicle how love conquers death

Two for one
Two operas chronicle how love conquers death

FROM RICE NEWS STAFF REPORTS

Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music has a special treat in store for those who attend its opera Nov. 5, 7, 9 and 10: two shows for the price of one. The Shepherd School Opera and the Shepherd School Chamber Orchestra will present two one-act operas: Gustav Holst’s “Savitri” (sung in English) and Giacomo Puccini’s “Gianni Schicchi” (sung in the original Italian with English surtitles).

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The “love triumphs over death”-themed operas offer something for everyone. “Savitri” is based on an episode from the Sanskrit epic poem “The Mahabharata,” in which Savitri, a Hindu princess, defies Death when he comes to claim the life of her husband. The dramatic use of an offstage chorus of angelic female voices enhances the exoticism and haunting beauty.

Puccini’s “Gianni Schicchi” provides a witty comic contrast to the mystic simplicity of Savitri. This year marks the sesquicentennial of Puccini’s birth, and “Gianni Schicchi,” which was inspired by “Dante’s Inferno,” is considered the last great opera buffa. The clever peasant Schicchi impersonates a dead man and manages to cheat the greedy, conniving Donati family out of their inheritance while ensuring the marriage of his daughter to their son. Puccini’s score depicts both the scheming relatives and the lyrical lovers and includes the ever-popular aria “Oh! Mio babbino caro!”

This production will be conducted by Richard Bado, director of the Opera Studies Program, and directed by Debra Dickinson, artist teacher of opera studies.

Cristian Macelaru, temporary staff conductor, will conduct the Nov. 9 performance, which will begin at 2 p.m. All other performances will begin at 7:30 p.m. The performances are part of the Leon Wilson Clark Opera Series.

General admission is $12 and $10 for students and senior citizens. For tickets, call the Shepherd School Concert Office at 713-348-4933.