L'amico Fritz

Stage

L'amico Fritz is an opera in three acts by Pietro Mascagni, premiered in 1891 to a libretto by P. Suardon (Nicola Daspuro) (with additions by Giovanni Targioni-Tozzetti), based on the 1864 French novel L'Ami Fritz by Émile Erckmann and Alexandre Chatrian. While the opera enjoyed some success in its day and is probably Mascagni's most famous work after Cavalleria rusticana, today it is performed far more rarely than Cavalleria, which remains Mascagni's only enduringly popular work outside Italy, where L'amico Fritz and Iris are still in the active repertoire.

From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Synopsis

Time: indefinite; sometime in the 19th century
Place: Alsace

Preludietto

Atto I

The dining room of Fritz Kobus' house
Fritz Kobus, a wealthy landowner is in discussion with his friend David, the local rabbi. Despite his disdain for marriage Fritz agrees to provide the dowry for a young couple. Fritz's friends join him to celebrate his birthday. He is presented with a bouquet by Suzel, the daughter of one of his tenants. She joins the birthday celebration and is moved when the gypsy Beppe enters playing his violin. When Suzel leaves David comments that she will make a good bride and that he will find her a husband. Fritz protests that she is too young. They argue about marriage and Fritz bets David one of his vineyards that he will never marry.

L'amico Fritz: Atto I. “Ma questa e una pazzia!” (Fritz, David)
“Evviva Fritz” (Fritz, David, Hanezò, Federico, Caterina)
L'amico Fritz: Atto I. “Son pochi fiori” (Suzel, Fritz, Hanezò, Federico, Caterina, David)
“Salute, amico Fritz …” (Beppe, Suzel, Fritz, Hanezò, Federico, Caterina, David)
L'amico Fritz: Atto I. “Orsu, vieni tra noi, al fianco mio...” (Beppe, Suzel, Fritz, Hanezò, Federico, David)
L'amico Fritz: Atto I. “Chi mai sara?” (Hanezò, Suzel, Fritz, Federico, Beppe, David)
L'amico Fritz: Atto I. “Laceri, miseri, tanti bambini” (Beppe, Fritz, Hanezò, David, Federico)
L'amico Fritz: Atto I. “Viva lo zingaro!” (David, Hanezò, Federico, Fritz, Caterina, Suzel, Beppe)
L'amico Fritz: Atto I. “Per voi, ghiottoni inutili” (David)
L'amico Fritz: Atto I. “Il suo sermone e splendido!” (Beppe, Federico, Fritz, David, Hanezò)
L'amico Fritz: Atto I. “Son gli orfanelli...” (Hanezò, Beppe, Federico, Fritz, David, Coro)

Atto II

The courtyard of a farm
Suzel is preparing to pick cherries as the farmers go out to the fields. Fritz approaches and helps her. They sing of the enchantment of the spring and the flowers ("Cherry Duet"). Fritz's friends arrive and Fritz leaves to look over the farms. David stays behind to talk to Suzel. When he suggests that she might be a bride, she becomes embarrassed and leaves. Fritz returns and David mentions that he thinks he has found the right man for Suzel to marry. Fritz becomes visibly upset and, left alone, realizes that he is in love with the girl.

L'amico Fritz: Atto II. “Ah, le belle ciliege!” (Suzel, Coro)
L'amico Fritz: Atto II. “Tra poco sara desto” … “Bel cavalier che vai per la foresta” (Suzel)
Duettino “Suzel, buon dì” (Fritz, Suzel)
L'amico Fritz: Atto II. “Tutto tace" (Fritz, Suzel)
L'amico Fritz: Atto II. “Oh! chi e che giunge?” (Fritz, Suzel, Beppe, David, Hanezò, Federico)
L'amico Fritz: Atto II. “Vediamo un po'!” (David)
L'amico Fritz: Atto II. “Faceasi vecchio Abramo” (Suzel, David, Fritz)
L'amico Fritz: Atto II. “Come vai?” (Fritz, David)
L'amico Fritz: Atto II. “Quale strano turbamento” (Fritz)
L'amico Fritz: Atto II. “Fritz, noi partiamo...addio!” (Federico, Fritz, Hanezò, Beppe)
L'amico Fritz: Atto II. “Che piu s'aspetta?” … “Sono i sonagli del biroccino” (Federico, Fritz, David, Suzel, Coro)
L'amico Fritz: Atto II. “Tra poco sara desto” … “Bel cavalier che vai per la foresta” (Suzel)
L'amico Fritz: Atto II. “Che piu s'aspetta?” … “Sono i sonagli del biroccino” (Federico, Fritz, David, Suzel, Coro)

Atto III

The dining room of Fritz Kobus' house
Fritz cannot banish thoughts of Suzel. Beppe enters and attempts to cheer him up with a song, but Fritz becomes even more depressed. David arrives and tells Fritz that Suzel is engaged to a fine young man and her father will soon ask for Fritz's blessing. Enraged, Fritz says that he will refuse and leaves. Suzel enters sadly but David insists that everything will be all right. He leaves her alone and she voices her despair and love for Fritz. Fritz enters and asks about her engagement. He quickly senses that she does not love her intended. Fritz reveals his feelings for her and the two admit their love. David enters and declares that he has won his wager with Fritz, telling him that he is going to give his winnings, Fritz's vineyard, to Suzel as a wedding present.

L'amico Fritz: Atto III. Intermezzo
L'amico Fritz: Atto III. “Tutto ho tentato... ” (Fritz, Coro)
L'amico Fritz: Atto III. “Buon giorno, Fritz! ” (Beppe, Fritz)
L'amico Fritz: Atto III. “O pallida, che un giorno mi guardasti” (Beppe, Fritz)
“Anche tu Beppe giungi” … “Ed anche Beppe amò...” (Fritz)
“O amore, o bella luce del core” (Fritz)
L'amico Fritz: Atto III. “L'amico Fritz fantastica d'amore” (David, Fritz)
L'amico Fritz: Atto III. “Povero Fritz, l'amore in te si desta... ” (David, Suzel)

Act III

“Non mi resta che il pianto” (Suzel, Fritz)

Atto III

L'amico Fritz: Atto III. “Suzel!” … “Signor!” … “Come s'è fatta pallida!” (Fritz, Suzel)
L'amico Fritz: Atto III. “Ah! Ditela per me quella parola” (Suzel, Fritz)
L'amico Fritz: Atto III. “Amici, ho vinto, ho vinto! ” (David, Fritz, Beppe, Caterina)
L'amico Fritz: Atto III. “Tu sposi, Fritz? ” (Federico, Hanezò, David, Fritz)

Synopsis from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Recommended recordings

Orchestra of the Royal Opera House · Gianandrea Gavazzeni YouTube Spotify (subscription)
Orchestra del Teatro alla Scala YouTube Spotify (subscription)

Elsewhere

Wikipedia

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