'Gianni Schicchi'

The School of Music's Opera Theater has been rehearsing all quarter for its upcoming performance of the comedy "Gianni Schicchi" and hopes audiences will take advantage of this rare opportunity to experience opera in our area.

"Opera is a great experience for the student performers," said Richard Crist, director of opera theater. "It gives them an opportunity to not only sing on stage but to bring a character of life, be part of the production aspect and create something with 18 other people. It's a real challenge and more than just being part of an ensemble."

Because the production is sharing the Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium with many other events, the cast will have little time to set the stage of before their performances at 7:30 p.m. April 24 and 25.

"This opera is kind of like watching an episode of 'The Sopranos' but with a comedy twist," Crist said.

"Gianni Schicchi" by Giacomo Puccini is a one-act opera set in Florence and based on a story that is referred to in Dante's "The Divine Comedy." After relatives of the deceased Buoso Donati learn that he left all of his money to a local monastery, they concoct a scheme to rewrite the will. The family teams with Schicchi, who is known for his clever schemes and who crosses the family to will everything to himself.

"You need to come to the opera to see how Gianni turns the tables and steals the money from them," Crist said.

Don't worry if you don't speak Italian -- the opera will be performed in English.