Gianni Schicchi

Gianni Schicchi (Puccini: Il trittico, part 3). Libretto by Giovacchino Forzano; 1 act; first performance NY 1918, conducted by Roberto Moranzoni.

Florence, late 13th cent.: Buoso Donati, a rich old man, has just died and his family is gathered round his bed, each hoping to inherit. It is rumoured he has left his fortune to a monastery. Rinuccio, son of Donati's elderly cousin Zita, finds the will but does not allow the others to see it until they make him a promise: when they receive their money, they will allow him to marry Lauretta Schicchi, daughter of the poor Gianni Schicchi. The old man has indeed left his money to the Church. Rinuccio sends for the wily Schicchi. He agrees to help them for Lauretta's sake. He suggests they suppress the news of Donati's death while he, Schicchi, will disguise himself as the old man and make a new will. They each try to bribe Schicchi to give them the lion's share. The new will is made - and leaves most of the fortune ‘to my old friend Gianni Schicchi’. Without revealing their own part in the plot, the relatives are helpless to intervene. Schicchi blesses the union of Lauretta and Rinuccio.