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Overview
Synopsis
Suor Angelica is the tragic tale of a woman who bears a child out of wedlock and is sent to a convent to repent for her sins. The opera follows the sisters on a particular holiday in their year, a celebration of May and the start of spring, when the evening sun lights the font in their courtyard golden. The opening of the opera follows the normal daily routines of the nuns: we see them being scolded for speaking out of turn or not completing tasks, gossiping about their sisters, and laughing together. Life continues as normal until one of the Touriers brings news of a splendid coach outside. The bell rings announcing a visitor, and the Abbess calls Sister Angelica to greet her aunt, the Princess, who has come to ask her to sign some papers. Despite the Abbess’s warnings, Angelica is overcome with emotion at her Aunt’s presence, the first visitor she’s had in seven years. She cannot hold her peace and asks frantically for news of her son. The Aunt’s news is devastating. Two years previously, Angelica’s son was stricken with a mortal sickness, and nothing could save him. In her distress, Angelica resolves there is only one option left for her to see her son again. A clarity comes over her as she makes a poison from her herb garden and drinks it. In her agony she screams for the sisters that she has committed suicide, and an offstage prayer asking for forgiveness can be heard. As Angelica dies, there is a miracle of light and the figure of the Virgin appears with a young boy.
Show Information
- Music
- Giacomo Puccini
- Libretto
- Giovacchino Forzano
- Category
- Opera
- Age Guidance
- Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
- Number of Acts
- 1
- First Produced
- 1918
- Genres
- Drama, Tragedy
- Settings
- Unit/Single Set
- Time & Place
- An Italian convent in Siena, 17th Century
- Cast Size
- large
- Orchestra Size
- Large
- Dancing
- None
- Licensor
- Ricordi/Casa Ricordi
- Ideal For
- All-Female Cast, College/University, Mature Audiences, Professional Opera, Includes Young Adult, Adult, Mature Adult, Elderly, Late Teen Characters, Large Cast
Context
Suor Angelica is the second of Puccini’s set of three one-act operas called Il trittico, the others being Il tabarro and Gianni Schicchi. In searching for a subject, Puccini wanted something which would contrast with the deception and murder of Il tabarro saying: “It is this that I am looking for: something that will be somewhat elevated, and give me an opportunity to write music that will take wing”. When Forzano offered him a story set in a
to read the context for Suor Angelica and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
The scene opens on a courtyard at the convent, with the sounds of the evening service finishing in the distance. Several of the Sisters are seen arriving late for the service, including the two Lay Sisters (Le Due Converse) and Suor Angelica. Angelica stops to kiss the threshold as she enters the chapel.
The Sisters enter the courtyard in procession to receive the evening’s reprimands from The Monitor (La Zelatrice), and lessons from The Mistress of the Novices (La Maestra delle Novizie.)
to read the plot for Suor Angelica and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Female |
Soprano |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano, Alto, Contralto |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Soprano |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Contralto |
|
|
Ensemble |
Female |
Soprano |
|
|
Ensemble |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Ensemble |
Female |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Ensemble |
Female |
Soprano |
|
|
Ensemble |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Ensemble |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Ensemble |
Female |
Silent |
|
|
Ensemble |
Female |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto |
Songs
Suor Angelica is a through-composed piece without strict scene delineations. Guidelines given here are intended to give a general idea of the different events which occur through the opera, and which characters are involved. Scene titles are author’s own.
Opening Prayer ‘Ave Maria’ All Sisters and Chorus of Sisters
The Reprimands ‘Sorella in humilta’ - La Zelatrice, La Maestra delle Novizie, Le Due Converse, Suor Osmina, Suor Lucilla, Chorus of Sisters
The story of the fountain ‘O sorelle, sorelle’ - Suor Genovieffe, La Maestra delle Novizie, Una Novizia, Suor Angelica, Chorus of Sisters
Discussion on desire ‘Noi non possiamo nemmen da vive avere desideri’ - La Zelatrice, Suor Genovieffe, Suor Dolcina, Suor Angelica, Una Novizia, Chorus of Sisters
The Nurse ‘Suor Angelica, sentite!’ - La Sorella Infermiera, Suor Angelica, Chorus of Sisters
The Alms ‘Laudate Maria!’ - Due Sorelle Cercatrici, Suor Dolcina, La Zelatrice, Chorus of Sisters
An Arrival ‘Chi e venuto stasera in parlatorio?’ - Sorella Cercatrice I, Suor Angelica, Suor Genovieffa, Chorus of Sisters
A Guest is Announced ‘Suor Angelica’ - La Badessa, Suor Angelica, Chorus of Sisters
La Principessa ‘Il Principe Gualtiero vostro padre’ and ‘Nel silenzio di quei raccoglimenti’ - La Zia Principessa, Suor Angelica
Angelica alone ‘Senza mamma, o bimbo, tu sei morto!’ - Suor Angelica
The Sisters returning from the graveyard ‘Sorella, o buona sorella’ - Suor Genovieffa, Suor Angelica, Chorus of Sisters
Angelica makes her poison ‘Suor Angelica ha sempre una ricetta buona fatta coi fiori’ - Suor Angelica
The miracle ‘O gloriosa virginum’ - Suor Angelica, SSSTB Chorus plus Children.
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
Scenes
Key Terms
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Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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Guide Written By:
Wendy Silvester
Singer and vocal coach based in the UK.