GIANNI SCHICCHI

Composer: G1acoMo Puccini Book by GIOACCCHINO FORZANO First performance: Metropolitan Opera House, New York, December 14, TeaGt. THE ESTATE of Buoso Donati has been left not to his immediate relatives, but to charity. The relatives, gathered at his bedside after his death, are in a quandary to find a method of breaking the will. One member of the family, Runuccio, suggests that his prospective father-in-law, Gianni Schicchi, a gentleman of considerable guile and cleverne , be called in. He presents the only po ible solution for the situation which is instantly put into action. Since no one except those in the death chamber know of Donati’s demise, the body is temoved and Gianni Schicchi impersonates Donati. The doctor calls and is delighted to find his patient still alive (he does not recognise the substitution), Gianni Schicchi then calls for legal support and dictates a new will. When the relieved relatives read the will they discover to their horror that he has willed the major part of the estate to Gianni Schicchi! And no one can contest it since each has been a part of the first criminal action.