Evening star., 1948-01-25
Puccini's Trio
OF Operas Due
At LiSner
By Alice Eyersmon

The three one-act operas by Puc-
cini, "Gianni Schicchi," IN Tabarro"
and "Suor Angelica" which the
composer had designed as triptych,
will be heard for the first time In
this city on Wednesday and Thurs
day nights in the Lisner Auditorium.
They will be given in an English
version by the Washington Opera
Guild, which has selected different
casts for each night. The casts will
employ 80 young singers chosen from
the guilds additions of more than
200 voices. While experienced for
the most part in concert and radio,
they will have their first opportunity
in opera during these performances.
This is one Of the first important
efforts made to give the feel of the
bigger line Of grand opera to striv-
ing local talent. The choice of these
particular operas, and the selection
of two casts, opens the way for more
singers to try out their ability. They
have been rehearsing since August,
studying their roles with their in
dividual teachers and assembling for
special group training under Dor
othy Remington and DR.. Marcel
Vigneras, assistant director. The
production will have the orchestral
accompaniment provided by the Ar
lington Civic Symphony, directed by
Van Lier Lanning. The final pol
ishing of the presentation was as
signed to LIE Roy Operti of New
York, who has been associated with
Schubert and Ben johnson produc-
tions and at different times with
the Metropolitan Opera.
Came Out in 1918.
The world premiere of the triptych
was given at the Metropolitan Opera
on December IA, 1918. It's European
debut took place about a month
later at the Costanzi in Rome, under
Toscanini's direction. The King and
Queen Of Italy were present with
all the royal family and the occasion
offered one of the greatest triumphs
Puccini ever experienced. The COM
poser was present at the first Rome
performance and heard several of
the six that were given within q
two weeks period. But great as
was the enthusiasm, both in New
York and Rome. and later in Lon
don, 1t became only too clear that
OF the three operas, the one finding
more universal favor was "Gianni
schicchi."
This was a constant source of
sorrow to Puccini! The original
plan called for libretto by DAN
nunzio and comic text by Tristan
Bernard in addition to the arrange
ment of Colds "Houppeland" which
was called I'll Tabarro." Neither
the sttry by D'Annunzio or Ber-
nard materialized. 1t was in despair
that Puccini grasped the idea given
by Forzano for the plot Of "Gianni
Schicct1i" and "Suor Angelica" AL
though the writing OF. I'll Tabarro"
dragged over three years, that of
the other two moved forward quick
" and was ready early in 1918 for
presentation.
johnson Sang Luigi.
Claudio Muzio sang the feminine
lead in "Il Tabarro" and Geraldine
Farrar. that Of "Suor Angelica, -
while Giuseppe de Luca was cast
rs "Giannie" Two years later, a
young tenor, Edward johnson, now
director of the Metropolitan Opera,
who made his New York grand opera
debut with the Chicago Opera, sang
the role Of Luigi in n. Taharro"
and Rinuccio in "Gianni" during
that company's five weeks stay in
New York. .
OF the three works, Puccini was
most fond of. "Suor Angelica" The
story appealed to him also because
his favorite sister was nun. He
visited her frequently and found
the peace he sought in the atmos-
phere of the convent. But the pub
lie did not take so kindly to it,
some feeling it too religious and
others that it was uninteresting
He resented the popularity of
"Gianni" and refused to 60 to Paris
TO hear it when it was performed
alone. He fought continuously for
the survival of the other two works
of the triptych but today "Gianni
'Schicchi" remains, not only the
greatest of the three, but one of
the greatest operas Puccini ever
wrote.