GIANNI SCHICCHI

The UKZN School of Music is to present Puccini's one act opera, Gianni Schicchi this coming weekend. Mounted by The Opera Studio and Choral Academy (OSCA), the opera will run from October 19 to 23 at the OSCA auditorium.

Written in 1918, this comic opera was intended by Puccini to form the final part of a triptych of on act operas, all meant to be performed in a single evening. The other two operas, Il Tabarro and Suor Angelica are more tragic in nature, and have never been as popular as the third in the series. It is a thoroughly entertaining work, peopled with eccentric characters, playing out a story concerning a contested will.

For this production, OSCA is delighted to have been able to secure the services of the eminent Pretoria based director, Marc Desando. Currently Artistic Director of the renowned Black Tie opera company, Mr Desando has performed in and directed operas internationally. He has remarked on the high calibre of the OSCA students, and indicates that he is very excited to be staging this production at OSCA.

The students will perform in costume as in a fully-fledged professional production, and the audience's appreciation of the action will be improved by the use of subtitles. The performances will be conducted by Lionel Mkhwanazi and accompanied by pianist Andrew Warburton.

Gianni Schicchi has performances at the OSCA auditorium (Old Jubilee Hall) on the following dates: October 19 and 20 at 19h30, October 21 at 19h00 and October 23 at 15h30. Tickets: R60 (R30 concessions). Entrance is free for students. For more info contact Babalwa (Concert Organiser) on 031 260 3353 or email: mentjies@ukzn.ac.za