MAC to feature one-act operas from ‘Triptych’

Conductor Andrew Altenbach said the only thing Giacomo Puccini’s “Suor Angelica” and “Gianni Schicchi” have in common visually is the presence of a donkey.

Both of these works are part of the trilogy known as “the Triptych” Puccini composed in 1918. Angelica chronicles the tragedy of death and heartache within a convent, and Schicchi stages a lighthearted farce surrounding one family’s greed.

The Jacobs School of Music presents the one-act operas at 8 p.m. Friday, Saturday, Feb. 11 and 12. Puccini’s favorite of the three works, “Suor Angelica,” is focused on loss and repentance while the composer’s only farce, “Gianni Schicchi,” is a tale of greed based on Dante’s “Divine Comedy.”

“There is a real hyper-emotionalism that surrounds both of these stories,” Altenbach said. “It would be safe to say that not many IU students have been a nun or lost a close family member, but Puccini makes these issues relatable even to this day.”

Altenbach is returning to IU for the first time since he earned his doctoral degree from the Jacobs School of Music in 2006.

“I was thrilled to be invited to conduct this show,” he said. “There is such an immense amount of resources and talent within Jacobs.”

Among those talented students is Lenora Green, who is currently earning her masters in vocal performance.

Originally from Macon, Ga., Green earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan before studying at Jacobs. A self-proclaimed eclectic musician, Green played both the violin and trumpet before she started singing gospel and contemporary Christian music.

“This is my first go at opera,” Green said. “The process has been very long and tedious, but also quite rewarding.”

Rehearsals for “Angelica” and “Schicchi” began late last November, starting with diction clinics and vocal practice.

“There is so much that goes into this process before we even reach the stage,” Green said. “With the text in Italian, it makes learning about your character that much more difficult.”

While Puccini’s works are vocally in a different language, Green said the beauty of the orchestral music is satisfying on its own.

“Puccini’s orchestral text for this piece has quite a voice,” Green said. “The fact that he was able to tell a whole story in under an hour is quite a musical feat. The climax and ending of each opera is so emotionally beautiful.”

Whether you are an opera novice or seasoned connoisseur, Altenbach said Puccini’s “Triptych” is opera at its best.

“With both acts averaging just under an hour, audience members will not be left overwhelmed by tragic thoughts or a skewed opinion of the comical opera,” Altenbach said. “Our cast exemplifies all aspects of this musical style without making it an all-night affair.”