Il trittico

The three one-act operas are very different in character, setting and subject matter, but they share one key feature: death. In Il tabarro (The cloak), a sailor and his wife have lost their only child and have become fatally estranged in the aftermath. The main character in Suor Angelica was banished to a convent after giving birth to an illegitimate baby. There, seven years later, she learns that her son has died. In desperation, she commits suicide but as she dies she is forgiven by the Virgin Mary in a vision. In Gianni Schicchi, a rich old man dies. His greedy family try to get their hands on the inheritance with the help of the cunning farmer Schicchi.

Puccini year with celebrated performers

2024 is precisely 100 years since the death of Giacomo Puccini at the age of 66. As a composer, Puccini is known for his refined theatrical instincts and powerful emotional eloquence. In this ‘Puccini year’, Dutch National Opera will be presenting the Italian composer’s most diverse work, Il trittico, in which he demonstrates his mastery of three different genres.

The German baritone Michael Volle, who achieved worldwide fame as Wotan (Der Ring des Nibelungen), Falstaff (in Verdi’s opera of the same name) and Scarpia (Tosca), will be making his DNO debut in his first performance of the roles of Michele (Il tabarro) and Gianni Schicchi. These roles will allow him to show two completely different sides: as a tortured verismo character and as a sly comedic figure. The role of Suor Angelica, a character whose tragedy never fails to move, will be sung by the Russian soprano Elena Stikhina, who previously gave a stunning performance in the title role of Madama Butterfly at DNO.