Suor Angelica is a sleepy opera. It’s about nuns. It was written by Puccini. It’s one act.
In other words – nap time!
Suor Angelica is part of a triptych of Puccini one-acts: Il tabarro (“The Cloak”- peeps die in this) Suor Angelica (“Sister Angelica”-our opera at hand), and Gianni Schicchi (remembered for the pretty aria “O mio babbino caro”).
Yes, I fell asleep for all of five minutes during a performance of this opera at Poncho Hall two weeks ago, but not for lack of enjoyment- oh no, the production was wonderful and cohesive. In fact, the musical director (formerly assistant-conductor for the Seattle Symphony) said that this was the “happiest musical experience of his life”… and who can blame him? Bringing Puccini to a college without a full orchestra sounds like seeing a housecat on an African safari, but amazingly, Puccini’s work became accessible.
Suor Angelica is about a bunch of nuns at a convent. Sister (Suor) Angelica gets a visit from her estranged Aunt who delivers some sad news. As far as operas go, this plot is not out of the blue. The simple quality of a quiet convent was emphasized with the use of only a harp, flute, and piano; the set on the same hand consisted of six benches. Every character wore the exact same blue habit, except for Angelica’s secular aunt, who wore a red dress. Everything fit in so well, and I was transported to the quiet spring evening at the convent-and then I dozed, next to a teacher. Embarrassment ensued.
