 Mascagni’s
L’Amico Fritz (Friend Fritz), a light opera full of pastoral
charm, premiered a year after he achieved great success with his Cavalleria
Rusticana (Rustic Chivalry). In strong contrast to the tragedy
vividly told in his preceding work, this opera, set in the Alsatian countryside,
is a heartwarming comedy with cheerful and beautiful Italian melodies as
well as lyrical harmony. “Duetto delle ciliege (cherry duet)”
and the intermezzo are particularly famous. In a fresh combination, the
director Takagishi Misa says she wants to render the changes of the characters’
emotions carefully, while the conductor, Watanabe Kazumasa, says that he
will approach the work with a natural attitude.
Synopsis
The 40th birthday of Fritz, a rich landowner, is being celebrated by his
friends. Rabbi David preaches the joy of conjugal love, but the confirmed
bachelor Fritz turns a deaf ear to what he says. Although Fritz is captivated
by the youth and freshness of Suzel, who has come to celebrate his birthday,
he insists to the rabbi that he will not marry. Seeing the two talking
intimately with each other as Fritz helps Suzel pick cherries, the rabbi
works out a plot to test the feelings of the two. Fritz finally admits
his love for her, and he and Suzel sing the joy of love together. Fritz
says to his unmarried friends, “You won’t be far behind.”
As the couple is blessed, the curtain falls.
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