January 30, 2020

Southeast River Campus Showcasing Puccini Operas

Southeast Missouri State UniversitysDepartment of Music, in collaboration with The Jeanine Larson DobbinsConservatoryof Theatre and Dance, will present two Puccini one-act operas SuorAngelica and Gianni Schicchi tonight, Jan. 31,and Saturday, Feb. 1, at 7:30 p.m. in the Donald C. Bedell Performance Hall at Southeasts River Campus.

SuorAngelicais a touching story placed in the Convent of Santa MariaCellole, outside Siena, Italy.The story focuses on Sister Angelica, a young woman who was forced to take the veil after having a child out of marriage.The show includes soaring orchestrations and vocal writing, sung in the original Italian (with supertitles) and will feature guest artist AmyMazzeoin the title role.

Gianni Schicchiis a comedy placed in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan, 1935, andcenters on the very dysfunctionalDonatifamily, Italian emigrants hustling to make a life in the new world.After the passing of their dear UncleBuoso, the aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews appear to be in sincere mourning.However, when the relatives discover thatBuosoleft all his riches to the local friars, their true colors are revealed. They spat, bicker and quarrel (sometimes in Italian) about what to do until finally agreeing to bring in the local fixer, Gianni Schicchi, to find a solution.Schicchi is not well-liked by the family because he is Sicilian, but they are willing to go along with his plan.However, the mastermind has a secret twist in store much to the familys chagrin.

Gianni Schicchiwill be performed in a new English translation with supertitles.

Tickets

Tickets may be purchased by contacting the River Campus Box Office, located in the Cultural Arts Center, 518 S. Fountain St., weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., by calling (573) 651-2265, or online at RiverCampus.org.

For those interested in dinner and a show, Puccini and Pasta will be held tonight, Jan. 31, at Gabriels Food and Wine in downtown Cape Girardeau. Tickets, which include dinner and the opera, are available athttp://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07egset0hwbac176cc&llr=7ncdezrab&fbclid=IwAR16T-DfX9VcLUbqbqGX5QQhqGrjnIIIHgPJbBkYNi4QLEWQ4h5jv54CV7I.