Gianni Schicchi (1977)

Grasping relatives of the wealthy Buoso Donati mourn his passing at his deathbed and ask about his bequests. Rumor has it that the old man has left nearly everything to a monastery, but if his will has not been filed there is still hope for the relatives. Young Hinuccio finds the document and ex- acts a promise from his aunt Zita to let him marry his be- loved Lauretta if there is enough money. She agrees, and the will is read; everything to go to the monks. Rinuccio suggests that Lauretta’s father, Gianni Schicchi, can help; his peasant stock will be the salvation of Florence, which the young man likens to a tree in flower. Schicchi appears.

Disgusted by the hypocrisy and avarice he finds, he starts to leave but softens when Lauretta begs for permission to marry Hinuccio. Reading the will, he first asserts that nothing can be done, then impersonates the dead man himself. The doctor pays a call, and is convinced (by Schicchi’s imitation of Buoso) that the patient is better. Now Schicchi tells the others to send for the notary; donning Buoso’s nightshirt and cap, he promises to dictate a new will. The relatives are overjoyed until they hear the tolling of a death knell. The bell, however, tolls not for Buoso but for the mayor’s majordomo. Their greedy hopes renewed, the relatives get down to the business of bribing Schicchi to leave them the choicest items. He agrees but warns them they are all accomplices, the penalty for fraud being the loss of a hand and exile from Florence. When the notary arrives with witnesses, Schicchi bequeaths some property to the relatives but reserves the best for himself. The family falls on Schicchi and pillages the house while he chases them out. But the lovers, gazing out over the city, are happy. Schicchi’s wits have provided them with a dowry and a house, and he turns to the audience to plead- not guilty.