I am very fond of Puccini's operas as a long-time fan of opera. Il Trittico consists of three one-act operas, three operas that are different in atmosphere and mood to each other. Il Tabarro is a very dark and compact melodrama, Suor Angelica is a sorrowful and poignant opera with the confrontation between Angelica and the aunt from hell being an amazing piece of opera drama, and Gianni Schicchi(Puccini's only comedy from my understanding) is a deft, funny and witty comic farce.
Aside from the stories and characters, all of which are different from one another but also believable, one thing this trilogy of operas shares in common is Puccini's amazing music, O Mio Babbino Caro is a classic and a soprano showpiece(one of my personal favourite arias to sing), but there's also the dramatically and musically intense Nulla Silenzio.
This 1981 Met production is outstanding. It is obvious from the word go that the costumes and sets took a lot of effort into constructing while the video directing is equally impressive. The orchestra and conducting are superb, seamlessly transitioning from one mood to another. Another impressive asset is the atmosphere particularly in Il Tabarro. In Il Tabarro you can sense the darkness and compactness, in Suor Angelica you can immediately empathise with the titular character and in Gianni Schicchi it is a riot from start to finish really.
The performances are fantastic, with special mention going to Renata Scotto in all three soprano roles. Throughout the entire production, Scotto is brilliant, her outstanding acting is put to great use and her singing is in fine shape. This is especially true in Suor Angelica, where she is successful in moving me to tears and in bringing an ethereal quality to her voice. Vasile Moldoveanu and Phillip Creech are dashing with excellent voices, if a little strained in the acting. Gabriel Bacquier is a wonderful Gianni Schicchi, but for me other than Scotto my favourite was Cornell MacNeil's Mechele, his Nulla Silenzio says it all really.
In conclusion, great trilogy of operas, outstanding performance. 10/10 Bethany Cox
Aside from the stories and characters, all of which are different from one another but also believable, one thing this trilogy of operas shares in common is Puccini's amazing music, O Mio Babbino Caro is a classic and a soprano showpiece(one of my personal favourite arias to sing), but there's also the dramatically and musically intense Nulla Silenzio.
This 1981 Met production is outstanding. It is obvious from the word go that the costumes and sets took a lot of effort into constructing while the video directing is equally impressive. The orchestra and conducting are superb, seamlessly transitioning from one mood to another. Another impressive asset is the atmosphere particularly in Il Tabarro. In Il Tabarro you can sense the darkness and compactness, in Suor Angelica you can immediately empathise with the titular character and in Gianni Schicchi it is a riot from start to finish really.
The performances are fantastic, with special mention going to Renata Scotto in all three soprano roles. Throughout the entire production, Scotto is brilliant, her outstanding acting is put to great use and her singing is in fine shape. This is especially true in Suor Angelica, where she is successful in moving me to tears and in bringing an ethereal quality to her voice. Vasile Moldoveanu and Phillip Creech are dashing with excellent voices, if a little strained in the acting. Gabriel Bacquier is a wonderful Gianni Schicchi, but for me other than Scotto my favourite was Cornell MacNeil's Mechele, his Nulla Silenzio says it all really.
In conclusion, great trilogy of operas, outstanding performance. 10/10 Bethany Cox
