The Garden of the Finzi-Continis
An opera in two acts
Libretto by Michael Korie
Published by Theodore Presser Company
Duration: Approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes, with one intermission
Premiere:
January 27th, 2022
NYTF – National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene/NYC Opera
Museum of Jewish Heritage – A Living Memorial to the Holocaust
Edmond J. Safra Plaza
36 Battery Place New York, NY 10280
Commission: National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene/NYC Opera
Instrumentation:
Flute (doubling Piccolo); Oboe (doubling English Horn); Clarinet in B-flat; Bassoon | Horn in F; Trumpet in C; Bass Trombone | Percussion (1 player): Glockenspiel, Xylophone, Chimes, Triangle, Suspended Cymbal, Mark Tree, Snare Drum, Concert Tom-toms (4), Bass Drum
Piano (doubling Celesta) | Violin 1, 2, 3; Viola; Violoncello; Contrabass
Score: Piano-Vocal Score Available from Theodore Presser. Full score and parts coming soon!
Click on each item to see the full contents:
Click to View Program Notes
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.
Click to View Roles
GIORGIO (Tenor) Plays early twenties to early-thirties
MICÒL FINZI-CONTINI (Soprano) plays early 20s
ALBERTO FINZI-CONTINI (Lyric baritone) plays early 20s
GIAMPI MALNATE (Baritone) plays early 20s
PAPÀ (Baritone) Giorgio’s father
PROFESSOR ERMANNO (Tenor) doubles as RABBI/TENNIS CLUB PROPRIETOR 50s
MAMMA (Soprano or High Mezzo) Giorgio’s Mother 40s
SIGNORA OLGA (Soprano or High Mezzo) doubles as CRISTINA/RICCA COHEN 50s
PEROTTI (Tenor) doubles as MUSSOLINI/UNCLE FEDERICO Finzi-Contini Servant, 50s
SIGNORA REGINA (Mezzo) doubles as SOFIA Micol’s grandmother, 70s
YOUNG GIORGIO (Baritenor) doubles as his brother ERNESTO Age 14
YOUNG MICÒL (Light soprano) doubles as COUSIN/ADRIANA and ENSEMBLE Age14
CANTOR
BANK TELLER LIBRARIAN
BRUNO LATTES
CITY COUNCILMAN MOVIE THEATRE USHER
JEWISH CONGREGANTS CITIZENS OF FERRARA VENICE MERCHANTS
ENSEMBLE (6) — All roles played by 3 men, 3 women
- VENETIAN GLASS MERCHANT
- AUNT BELLA
- UNCLE ARTURO
- LIDIA
- GISELA
- FASCISTI GUARD LEADER
- BLACK SHIRTS FASCISTI SOLIDERS STREETWALKERS
Click to View Press
ABC News (Ronald Blum, 10 February 2022)
Forward (PJ Grisar, 6 January 2022)
The Hudson Review (Larry Wolff, May 2022)
The New Criterion (Jay Nordlinger, March 2022)
New York Classical Review (George Grella, 28 January 2022)
The New York Times (Elisabeth Vincentelli, 21 January 2022)
OperaWire (Chris Ruel, 10 February 2022)
Ricky Ian Gordon & Michael Korie:
New York City Opera/Yiddish Theater Folksbiene
2022
Photos by Steven Pisano
