Mason Opera Presents
Gianni Schicchi
Opera in one act
Music by Giacomo Puccini
Libretto by Giovacchino Forzano
Stage Director: Professor Richard Leech
Music Director & Conductor: Professor Joseph Walsh
Director/Producer: Professor Patricia Miller
Gregory Family Theater
Hylton Performing Arts Center
George Mason University
Friday, December 5th at 3:00pm and 8:00pm
Saturday, December 6th at 3:00pm and 8:00pm
Gianni Schicchi
Cast
The bedchamber of Buoso Donati, Florence, Italy, 1299.
Bob McDonald
Lauretta (Schicchi's Daughter) Young-hae Jeon, Hannah Cayem*
Zita (called “The old woman”; Buoso’s cousin) Huijie Sun, Elycia Woodham*
Rinuccio (Zita's nephew) Ian McEuen
Gherardo (Buoso's nephew) Ethan Yearwood
Nella (Gherardo’s wife) Kyla Larkin, Kaylee Cobb*
Gherardino (Gherardo’s son) Will McKenzie
Simone (Buoso’s cousin) Josh Slutsky
Marco (Simone’s son) Sammy Flamenco
La Ciesca (Marco’s wife) Julia Messner, Jennifer Mills*
Betto di Signa (Brother-in-law) Jacob Lee
Spinelloccio (Physician) Lake Rusch
Il Notaio (The Notary) Roberto Solito-Vasquez
Pinellino (Shoemaker) Maria Mantalvanos, Diego Billington*
Guccio (Dyer) Lake Rusch
Buoso Donati (Dead man) Conor Kelly
Friday December 5th 3:00pm; Saturday December 6th 8:00pm
* Friday December 5th 8:00pm; Saturday December 6th 3:00pm
Chamber Orchestra
Conductor – Professor Joseph Walsh
Pianist
Dr. GaYoung Lee
Violin I
John Ross
Viola
Drew Robertson
Bass
Nathan Coughlin
Timpani
Trey Perry
Flute/Piccolo
Amy Lenk
Bob McDonald
Diego Billington
Elycia Woodham
Ian McEuen
Josh Slutsky
Roberto Solito-Vasquez
Will McKenzie
Violin II
Jeanne Su
Cello
Josef Wolpert
Clarinet
Benjamin Lopez
Percussion
Luke Moitoza
Keyboard (Harp)
Sam Kim
Mason Opera Ensemble
Young-hae Jeon
Jennifer Mills
Hannah Cayem
Ethan Yearwood
Sammy Flamenco
Huijie Sun
Kaylee Cobb
Kyla Larkin
Julia Messner
Maria Mantalvanos
Conor Kelly Lake Rusch
Jacob Lee
Note from the Director
Welcome to Florence! - where even a Will reading can turn into an operatic adventure. Gianni Schicchi, the third opera in the Triptych of three one-act operas that also includes Suor Angelica and Il Tabarro, is Puccini at his lightest and most theatrical, a whirlwind of mistaken identities, frantic negotiations, and musical sparkle. It may last barely an hour, but it contains a lifetime of human behavior: ambition, panic, jealousy, loyalty, and - fortunately - love.
I know that you all join me in my deep admiration of our talented students for having taken on this challenging piece and giving it such life on our stage. I wanted this production, and each of our artists to celebrate the sheer joy of storytelling. Today, we all joyfully celebrate their success. Every character has a motive, every glance hides a secret, and every ensemble passage feels like a community trying (and failing) to keep order. Bravi studenti!
Along with the students, I would also like to thank the many people who have made this production possible. From Mason’s outstanding production and design team to our fabulous musical staff led by Professor Joe Walsh, on the podium, who once again went above and beyond preparing the cast for this demanding score. I owe a significant debt of gratitude to him as well as to our fantastic rehearsal accompanist and repetiteur, Dr. GaYoung Lee, and always, at the helm of our Mason Opera program, Professor Patricia Miller.
In Schicchi, Puccini leaves us asking: Who is the real villain - the clever man who bends the system, or the privileged family trying to guard it? And then, just when cynicism threatens to take us over, we recall Lauretta’s tender plea to her father, “O mio babbino caro,” and are reminded that love, sincerity, and vulnerability still exist. In that moment, Puccini opens a window of compassion and lets the story breathe. That balance of heart and bite is what makes this opera such an enduring treasure.
Richard Leech, Stage Director
The wealthy Buoso Donati has just died at home in Florence, and his relatives are somewhat exaggerating in their mourning of his passing away; in reality they all expect to be amply consoled by their inheritance. But Betto di Signa, the poorest of them all, has heard strange rumors according to which Buoso has left all his possessions to the Friars Minor and the Charitable Works of Saint Reparata. Suspicious and worried, the relatives start looking for the will and, when they finally uncover it, they find their worst fears have come true. The false grief for the loss of their dear one turns into an authentic lament for the loss of their inheritance. Also, the young Rinuccio is upset, for whom the money would have meant permission to marry a girl without a dowry, Lauretta, daughter of the commoner Gianni Schicchi.
In vain do Buoso’s relatives turn to their elder, Simone, for advice on what to do; Rinuccio, however, suggests approaching Schicchi, well known for his shrewdness. The others reject this suggestion as the Donati family is above dealing with commoners, but by now Gianni, accompanied by his daughter Lauretta, has reached the house of the deceased, followed shortly after by the doctor, a certain Spinelloccio, still unaware of the death of his patient. As soon as Gianni sees how to turn the situation to his own personal advantage, he hides in the bed of the deceased, imitates his voice and sends the doctor away, claiming that he feels better and wants to rest. Gianni Schicchi’s plan is now put into practice: dressed as Buoso, he lies on his bed and summons the public notary Il Notaio Amantio di Nicolao and two witnesses, in front of whom he dictates a new will. He distributes the cash and some properties fairly among the relatives, but the most valuable assets – the house in Florence, the mills in Signa and the mule – he keeps for himself, while the relatives can’t do anything about it without revealing the fraud, for which the penalty is the cutting-off of a hand and exile from Florence. Once the notary and witnesses have left, Gianni chases the enraged relatives out of the house before they can plunder what has now become his property, while Rinuccio and Lauretta happily embrace.
Synopsis from:
Puccini, Giacomo. Gianni Schicchi: Opera completa per canto e pianoforte. Libretto by Giovacchino Forzano. Milan: G. Ricordi & C., 1918.
MEET THE ARTISTIC DIRECTORS
Richard Leech (Stage Director) is one of the most celebrated tenors of his generation and is currently an Associate Professor of Applied Voice and Opera for George Mason University’s Dewberry School of Music, and Stage Director for the Mason Opera Theater. Since his heralded 1989 Metropolitan Opera debut as Rodolfo in La Bohème, Mr. Leech has sung nearly 200 Met performances in more than a dozen leading roles. From Vienna and Paris to La Scala, Covent Garden, and Carnegie Hall he has been a frequent guest with virtually every major opera house and renowned symphonies throughout the world. He is best known for his interpretation of iconic tenor roles such as Rodolfo, Cavaradossi, Pinkerton, Don José, Faust, Roméo, Hoffmann, the Duke in Rigoletto, and Riccardo in Un ballo in maschera and is featured on over twenty recordings and videos. His solo release from the heart can be found on the Telarc label. Following his 1987 European debut with Berlin’s Deutsche Oper, as Raoul in Les Huguenots, the headline of the Berliner Morgen Post read: “A World Star is Born” and true to its forecast, Mr. Leech had soon made debuts with virtually every major opera house of the world. Of his first performance with the Metropolitan Opera, as Rodolfo in La Bohème, Will Crutchfield of the New York Times wrote: “Other than Pavarotti on his best night, I can’t think of another tenor I’d rather hear in the part.” In addition to the Met, he was also a frequent guest with the Lyric Opera of Chicago and the opera companies of San Francisco, LA, Washington, San Diego, and Cincinnati, as well as many other important American opera companies and symphonies. Internationally, he was often seen in Paris, London, Vienna, Berlin, Madrid, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Florence, Rome, and at La Scala in Milan where he had the honor of singing La Bohème with the great Mirella Freni. Other countries where he has performed include Brazil, Mexico, Guatemala, The Netherlands, Canada, Russia, Cyprus, Japan, China, and South Korea. Also a passionate teacher and mentor, Mr. Leech has worked extensively with aspiring artists at all levels of their development throughout his career. Before his position with George Mason University, he had previously served on the faculties of Rutgers University and The University of Michigan. As Director of Resident Artist Programs for Michigan Opera Theatre (now Detroit Opera) from 2015 -2021, Mr. Leech created and ran MOT Studio, the company’s first young artist program, offering full-time engagement, training, and experience to artists in the early stages of a professional career. In his leadership role with MOT, he also oversaw the company’s many education and community engagement initiatives. Mr. Leech attended Eastman School of Music and Binghamton University and credits his success to the train ing he received in the Tri-Cities Opera Resident Artist Training Program in Binghamton, NY under the mentorship of the company’s founders, Peyton Hibbitt and Carmen Savoca. He has been a frequent guest teacher and presenter of masterclasses for many instit utions in the US and internationally. He was the 1988 winner of the prestigious Richard Tucker Award, and the recipient of The Voice Foundation’s Voice Education Research and Awareness (V.E.R.A.) Award and the Giulio Gari Foundation’s Distinguished Achievement Award.
Patricia Miller (Director of Vocal Studies, Director/Producer Mason Opera) is a Distinguished University Professor of Music at George Mason University, received her Bachelor of Music from Boston University, her Master of Music from New England Conservatory, and, as a Fulbright scholar, her Artist Diploma from the Accademia di Santa Cecilia in Rome. She completed advanced studies at the Schubert Institute in Badenbei-Wien and the Mozarteum in Salzburg. Miller is a distinguished international opera and concert artist and an esteemed music educator. Included in her extensive artistic career as a leading mezzo-soprano are performances with San Francisco Opera, New York City Opera, Theatre Châtélèt Paris, Alte Oper Frankfurt, Victoria State Opera (Melbourne), Arena di Verona (Italy), and Deutsche Oper (Berlin), among others. Her concert appearances include the Musikverein (Vienna), Beethovenhalle (Bonn), Avery Fisher Hall-Lincoln Center, Kennedy Center, Library of Congress, Strathmore Music Center, and the Smithsonian. Her master classes and lecture recitals at universities and conservatories around the world include Moscow State University, Tchaikovsky National Music Academy of Ukraine, Hochschule für Musik Franz Lizst in Weimar, Germany, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and Ewha Womans University in Seoul, Korea. Miller’s students have garnered top awards in state, regional, national, and international competitions, including First Place at the National Opera Association Collegiate Scenes Competition. She has trained extraordinary young student artists who are now singing with major opera companies domestically and internationally, including Metropolitan Opera, Washington National Opera, Virginia Opera, Netherlands Opera, the “President’s Own” U.S. Marine Band and U.S. Army Chorus, and a Tony Award-winning Broadway revival. Miller has provided Mason students opportunities to study and perform abroad in Italy, Germany, France, Russia, and Korea. Professor Miller is a 2018 recipient of the John Toups Presidential Medal for Excellence in Teaching at George Mason University.
Joe Walsh (Music Coach) has presented and served as music director for opera and musical theater productions in Virginia, across the country and internationally. He served on the musical staff at Virginia Opera for 17 years where, most, recently, he held the positions of Associate Artistic Director and Associate Conductor. Joe was music director for Riverside Dinner Theater’s acclaimed production of The Pirates of Penzance during the summer of 2019. He has been a regular Music Director with the In Series and Alexandria’s Metro Stage. He is on the faculty at Levine Music and has served as artistic advisor for the National Society of Arts and Letters Vocal Programs, Washington D.C. chapter. Joe has judged the Middle Atlantic Region of the MET National Council auditions, as well as The Partner for the Arts, National Society of Arts and
Letters and many other voice competitions. Joe is a member of the faculties of both the School of Music and the School of Theater at George Mason University. At Mason, he has served as music director for productions of Head Over Heels, Cendrillon, Footloose, Gaining Ground, Spring Awakening, Rags, Merry We Roll Along, Big River, Dido and Aeneas, and Hansel and Gretel, among many others.
Dr. GaYoung Lee, renowned for her sensitive playing, colorful timbres, expressive tone, and her ability to seamlessly "blend the sound and elevate musical synergy" with fellow musicians, has established herself as both a solo pianist and a collaborative pianist across various distinguished venues. Completed her Doctoral degree in Piano Performance at George Mason University under the esteemed guidance of Dr. Linda Apple Monson, Director of the School of Music, GaYoung Lee also contributes as a Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) in collaborative piano. In this capacity, she enriches the musical education of instrumental and vocal students by offering guidance in recitals, lessons, and masterclasses, in addition to providing invaluable rehearsal coaching. GaYoung's academic journey encompasses a Master of Music degree in Piano Performance from George Mason University, a Bachelor of Music Degree in Piano Performance from the Catholic University of Korea, and supplementary studies at the Ewha Womans Graduate School of Music in Seoul.
MASON OPERA DIRECTORS
Prof. Richard Leech, Stage Director
Prof. Joseph Walsh, Music Director and Conductor
Prof. Patricia Miller, Director of Vocal Studies, Opera Director & Producer
MASON OPERA ADMINISTRATION & STAFF
Prof. Richard Leech, Stage Director, Mason Opera
Prof. Patricia Miller, Director of Vocal Studies, Opera Director & Producer
Prof. Joseph Walsh, Musical Director, Conductor, Opera Coach
Julie Thompson, Executive Director, Center for the Arts
MUSIC & ARTISTIC DIRECTION & STAFF
Prof. Joseph Walsh, Musical Director, Conductor, Opera Coach
Prof. Richard Leech, Stage Director, Mason Opera
Prof. Patricia Miller, Director of Vocal Studies, Opera Director & Producer
Dr. GaYoung Lee, Opera and Rehearsal Pianist, Coach
MASON OPERA PRODUCTION TEAM
Donna Reinhold, Stage Manager
Carrie Cox, Scenic Designer and Technical Director
Sean Cox, Lighting Designer
Laurel Dunayer, Costume Designer
Jessica Yost, Props Designer
Taylor S. Payne, Hair and Makeup
Conor Kelly, Student Assistant Stage Manager
Cori Ellison, Supertitles Creator
Sarah Clements, Supertitles operator
Kai Shi, Supertitles operator
SCENIC DIRECTION
Technical Director: Carrie Cox
Set Designer, Gianni Schicchi: Carrie Cox
Scene Shop Supervisor: Ethan Osborne
Assistant Technical Director: Ezekiel Ajibade
Lead Carpenter: Claire Rasmussen
Scenic Painter: Adrienne Krauel
Props Artisan: Vika Hearne
Production Interns: Anna Crowley, Tess Tsolis, Kai Yoffe
Paint Interns: Ollie Maxted, Johnny Vo
Scene Shop Practicum Students: Nikitha Raju, Lake Rusch, Sasha Sands
Volunteer: Sam Hackworth
COSTUMES
Costume Designer and Costume Shop Supervisor CVPA: Laurel Dunayer
Assistant Costume Shop Supervisor: Sarah Alspach
Costume Shop Assistant/Staff Wardrobe Lead: Luisa Romero
Costume Shop Assistant: Alexandra Beverina
Costume Interns: Anna Grace Connole, Arrieon Grovner, Shannon Harrel, Conor Kelly, Eli Nguyen, Holly Pulsifer, Molly Repetski, Bridget Santos, Brianna Zawicki
HYLTON PERFORMING ARTS CENTER PRODUCTION TEAM
Kevin D. Smith, Venue Technical Director
Chris Burrell, Production and Facilities Manager
Elizabeth McLendon, Operations and Production Associate
MASON OPERA GRATEFULLY ACKNOWLEDGES
Dr. Rick Davis, Dean, College of Visual & Performing Arts
Dr. Linda Monson, Director, Reva and Sid Dewberry Family School of Music
Julie Thompson, Executive Director, Center for the Arts
MASON VOICE FACULTY
Prof. Patricia Miller, Director of Vocal Studies; Director/Producer
Prof. Richard Leech
Prof. Jennifer Casey-Cabot
Prof. Lisa Berger
Dr. Darden Purcell
Prof. Edrie Means-Weekly
Prof. Ian McEuen
Mason Opera Angels
The Vocal Studies Division and Mason Opera gratefully acknowledge Carolyn Peterson and the Peterson Family Foundation for their generous Leadership Support of Mason Opera and Vocal Studies Endowed Scholarships.
George Mason University Reva and Sid Dewberry Family School of Music
For more information and a complete listing of concerts and recitals, visit the web site at music.gmu.edu
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