Who gets your fortune when you’re on your deathbed?

The College of Charleston Opera will conclude its 2009-2010 season with Giacomo Puccini’s opera, Gianni Schicchi, March 26-29. The one-act opera is Puccini’s lone venture into comedy. The fast moving plot opens with the death of the wealthy Buoso Donati.  His relatives greedily search for his will.  When found, the will reveals that Buoso has left all of his money to the church!  They resort to asking Gianni Schicchi, a peasant, to help them change the will to their favor. Schicchi has a plan of his own – to leave the best of Buoso’s possessions to himself!  In doing so, his daughter, Lauretta, now has a dowry and she can marry her love, Rinuccio.

The twists and turns of the plot, coupled with Puccini’s beautiful melodies will make for a charming evening of opera.  The cast of Gianni Schicchi will be loaded with award winning singers.  The role of Gianni Schicchi will be played by Daniel Lentz.  Johnathan White is cast as Rinuccio.  The role of Lauretta is double-cast with Elise Darrow and Karina Guchinovich.  Valerie Osborn and Janelle Lentz will portray Zita, the matron of the Donati family. The eldest, Simone, will be played by Nathan Matticks.

The performance will open Friday, March 26 and run through Monday, March 29. Curtain times will be at 8:00 pm with the Sunday performance being a 2:00 pm matinee only. The events will take place at the Recital Hall of the Simons Center for the Arts, 54 St. Philip Street. Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for students. Reservations may be made by calling (843) 953-4311. Depending upon availability, tickets may also be available at the door – cash or checks only.

College of Charleston Opera is a program in the Department of Music at the College’s School of the Arts.