The Garden of the Finzi-Continis tells the story of an aristocratic Italian-Jewish family, the Finzi-Continis, who believe they are immune to change on the eve of World War II

NYTF and New York City Opera (Michael Capasso, General Director) join forces to present the world premiere of Ricky Ian Gordon‘s (Intimate Apparel, Ellen West) new opera The Garden of the Finzi-Continis, based on Giorgio Bassani’s 1962 novel (considered a modern classic which is also the basis for Vittorio De Sica’s 1970 film adaptation starring Dominique Sanda and Helmet Berger – a 1972 Academy Award winner for Best Foreign Language Film).

With a libretto by Michael Korie (Flying Over Sunset, War Paint, Grey Gardens), The Garden Of The Finzi-Continis begins on the eve of World War II and tells the story of an aristocratic Italian-Jewish family, the Finzi-Continis, who believe they are immune to the changes happening around them.

As they make a gracious haven for themselves in their garden, walling out the unpleasantness of the world outside, Italy forms its alliance with Germany and begins to enforce anti-Semitic racial laws. But the Finzi-Continis discover too late that no one is immune, no one is untouchable.

Based on Giorgio Bassani’s 1962 novel, The Garden of the Finzi-Continis is a modern classic. Vittorio De Sica’s 1970 film adaptation starred Dominique Sanda and Helmet Berger – and took home a 1972 Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.

Creative Team
Music by Ricky Ian Gordon
Libretto by Michael Korie, based on the novel by Giorgio Bassani
Directed and choreographed by Richard Stafford
Conductor: James Lowe
Set Designer: John Farrell
Lighting Designer: Susan Roth
Costume Designer: Ildikó Debreczeni