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Overview

Synopsis

Preparations are underway for the return of Giannetto, a beloved village hero, and son to Lucia and Fabrizio. Wine is flowing and everyone is encouraged to join the celebrations, including Ninetta, the serving girl who is in love with Giannetto. When some cutlery and coins go missing during the party preparations, Ninetta is blamed. Lucia has never liked a girl of such a low status; she is clearly a criminal and is no good for her son. In the meantime, Ninetta’s father, a soldier away at war, has been accused of committing a crime against his commander, and has been forced to flee the camp. He seeks out Ninetta for help but must remain in hiding.

The corrupt Podestà (Mayor) is called to the house to review the case of the missing cutlery. He has had his eyes on the sweet Ninetta for a while, but she has rejected his advances, so, with little evidence, he sides with her employers and sends her to jail where she will face a trial and execution. While Ninetta waits in jail, Pippo and some of the other villagers discover that items are still going missing, and when they investigate they find the culprit - the magpie (la gazza). Ninetta is freed just as her father receives a pardon from the king, and the villagers once again rejoice.

Based on a true story, Rossini’s La gazza ladra sits in an unusual place between opera buffa and opera seria, with some farcical comedic moments contrasting other more tragic moments. It is perhaps this contrast, as well as some very catchy melodies and beautifully written ensembles, which makes this opera one of Rossini’s best and definitely one for all the family.

Show Information

Based on the Play/Book/Film
La pie voleuse by Théodore Baudouin d'Aubigny and Louis-Charles Caigniez
Category
Opera
Age Guidance
Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
Number of Acts
2
First Produced
1817
Genres
Drama, Dark Comedy, Farce, Romance
Settings
Multiple Settings
Time & Place
A large village, Paris
Cast Size
large
Orchestra Size
Medium
Dancing
None
Licensor
None/royalty-free
Ideal For
College/University, Professional Opera, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Adult, Mature Adult, Young Adult, Elderly, Child, Early Teen, Late Teen Characters, Large Cast

Context

Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Lucia

Lead

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

Giannetto

Lead

Male

Tenor

Ninetta

Lead

Female

Soprano

Fernando Villabella

Lead

Male

Baritone, Bass

Podestà Gottardo

Lead

Male

Bass

Fabrizio Vingradito

Supporting

Male

Baritone, Bass

Pippo

Supporting

Female

Contralto

Isacco

Supporting

Male

Tenor

Antonio

Supporting

Male

Tenor

Giorgio

Featured

Male

Baritone, Bass

Ernesto

Featured

Male

Baritone, Bass

La gazza (the magpie)

Featured

Either Gender

Spoken

Il Pretore

Featured

Male

Bass

Gregorio

Featured

Male

Silent

Chorus

Ensemble

Either Gender

Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Tenor, Baritone, Bass, Contralto

Songs

Sinfonia

Act 1

Introduction ‘O che giorno fortunato’ - Chorus, Pippo, La gazza, Lucia, Fabrizio

Recitative ‘O cospetto!’ - Fabrizio, Lucia, Pippo

Cavatina ‘Di piacer mi balza il cor’ - Ninetta

Recitative ‘Oh come il mio Giannetto’ - Fabrizio, Ninetta, Lucia

Cavatina ‘Stringhe e ferri da calzette’ - Isacco, Pippo, Ninetta

Recitative and Chorus ‘Viva, Viva!’ - Pippo, Ninetta, Chorus

Cavatina ‘Vieni fra queste braccia’ - Giannetto, Chorus

Brindisi ‘Tocchiamo, beviamo’ - Pippo, Chorus

Recitative ‘O madre, ancor non mi diceste’ - Giannetto, Lucia, Fabrizio, Pippo, Ninetta

Scene and Duet ‘Come frenare il pianto!’ - Ninetta, Fernando

Cavatina ‘Il mio piano è preparato’ - Podestà

Recitative ‘Un altro, un altro’ - Ninetta, Podestà, Fernando

Scene and Trio ‘Oh Nume benefico’ - Giorgio, Ninetta, Podesta, Fernando

Recitative ‘O pancia mia’ and Finale I ‘In casa di messere’ - Pippo, Isacco, Ninetta, La gazza, Lucia, Podestà, Giannetto, Fabrizio, Cancelliere, Chorus

Act 2

Recitative and Duet ‘Forse un di conoscerete’ - Antonio, Ninetta. Giannetto

Recitative and Aria ‘Si per voi, pupille amate’ - Antonio, Podesta, Ninetta, Chorus (off-stage)

Recitative and Duet ‘Ebben, per mia memoria’ - Antonio, Ninetta, Pippo

Recitative, Scene, and Aria ‘Accusata di furto … oh rossore! - Lucia, Fernando*

Scene, Chorus of Justice, Quintett ‘Già dipiuto nel suo volto’ - Il Pretore, Giannetto, Fabrizio, Un Giudice, Podestà, Fernando, Ninetta, Chorus

Recitative and Aria ‘A questo seno’ - Lucia

Recitative ‘Che razza di villaggio’ - Ernesto, Pippo, Giorgio, Antonio, La gazza

Chorus and Prayer ‘Deh tu reggi in tal momento’ - Chorus, Ninetta

Finale II ‘Giorgio, Giorgio?’ - Antonio, Pippo, Giorgio, Lucia, Fabrizio, Giannetto, Podestà, Fernando, Chorus

*The alternative aria for Fernando, ‘Oh colpo impensato' which features Lucia and the female chorus, is often substituted here and is available in appendix of the Ricordi Critical Edition vocal score.

In the Pesaro 1818 production, the cavatina ‘Dunque invano i perigli, la morte’ was given to Fernando, before the duet with Ninetta in Act 1. This is also available in the Ricordi Critical Edition.

A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.

Monologues

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Scenes

All scenes are the property and copyright of their owners. Scenes are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this scene, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

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Guide Written By:

Wendy Silvester

Wendy Silvester

Singer and vocal coach based in the UK.