Here's something you might be interested in.
I love the story of Gianni Schicchi as presented by Puccini.
Throughout the show, Schicchi keeps singing this creepy tune to warn the family of what will happen it they're discovered altering the will.
"Farewell, Florence, I wave farewell with this stump, I will wander as a Ghibelline."
The punishment was to have a hand chopped off and then be exiled. Schicchi makes the most of it in hilarious fashion. I just realized I've neglected to mention that Gianni Schicchi is Puccini's only comedy.
A Ghibelline was a supporter of the Holy Roman Emperor and nearby Sienna was a Ghibelline city. Florence was a Guelph city and supported the Pope. I can only guess that any Ghibellines in Florence were also exiled.
The Ghibelline and Guelph conflict went on for over 300 years.
In the story, Schicchi distributes an unjust justice. At the end of the day, all the family members get exactly what they would have if the will had never been altered. Rinuccio theoretically got more since he would ultimately get the house and mills. I'm not sure how long the mule would last.
Where does this story originate?
Schicchi makes a brief appearance in Dante's Inferno but a mid 19th Century edition included an expanded rendition attributed to an anonymous 14th century Florentine author.
Buoso Donati and Gianni Schicchi were both historic figures. Interestingly, Dante's wife was a member of the Donati family which might explain why Schicchi is burning in hell in The Divine Comedy.
Puccini and his librettist expanded the story further and added family members. They also gave Schicchi a redeeming quality. At the end of the show he's done it all for his daughter.
The stump song is at the 4:15 mark. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwNhzpV2xwk
I love the story of Gianni Schicchi as presented by Puccini.
Throughout the show, Schicchi keeps singing this creepy tune to warn the family of what will happen it they're discovered altering the will.
"Farewell, Florence, I wave farewell with this stump, I will wander as a Ghibelline."
The punishment was to have a hand chopped off and then be exiled. Schicchi makes the most of it in hilarious fashion. I just realized I've neglected to mention that Gianni Schicchi is Puccini's only comedy.
A Ghibelline was a supporter of the Holy Roman Emperor and nearby Sienna was a Ghibelline city. Florence was a Guelph city and supported the Pope. I can only guess that any Ghibellines in Florence were also exiled.
The Ghibelline and Guelph conflict went on for over 300 years.
In the story, Schicchi distributes an unjust justice. At the end of the day, all the family members get exactly what they would have if the will had never been altered. Rinuccio theoretically got more since he would ultimately get the house and mills. I'm not sure how long the mule would last.
Where does this story originate?
Schicchi makes a brief appearance in Dante's Inferno but a mid 19th Century edition included an expanded rendition attributed to an anonymous 14th century Florentine author.
Buoso Donati and Gianni Schicchi were both historic figures. Interestingly, Dante's wife was a member of the Donati family which might explain why Schicchi is burning in hell in The Divine Comedy.
Puccini and his librettist expanded the story further and added family members. They also gave Schicchi a redeeming quality. At the end of the show he's done it all for his daughter.
The stump song is at the 4:15 mark. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwNhzpV2xwk