5 reasons to look forward to … Il trittico
1. A trio of Puccini operas in one evening
In 2024, we mark exactly one hundred years since the death of Giacomo Puccini, famed for his sharp theatrical instinct and profound emotional impact, who died at the age of 66. To commemorate this 'Puccini year', Dutch National Opera is presenting his most diverse masterpiece: Il trittico. This opera evening will consist of three radically different one-acts: Il tabarro, a thrilling suspense opera; Suor Angelica, a devastatingly poignant drama; and Gianni Schicchi, one of the cleverest comedies in the operatic canon.
2. The culmination of the Puccini series
After three seasons, principal conductor Lorenzo Viotti and director Barrie Kosky are wrapping up their trilogy of Puccini productions. They share a profound love for the Italian composer’s works, which they approach from a fresh perspective. Their Tosca (2022) was acclaimed by Het Parool as “a theatrical, orchestral and vocal triumph,” while NRC noted that Turandot (2023) featured a “wow factor to remember forever.”
3. Star-studded cast
Il trittico requires an extraordinary ensemble of vocalists. With Elena Stikhina in the role of Suor Angelica, Dutch National Opera has secured a soprano of unmatched global stature, sure to leave no one unaffected. Alongside her are baritone Daniel Luis de Vicente, mezzo-soprano Raehann Bryce-Davis, tenor Joshua Guerrero and soprano Leah Hawkins. Recently graduated from the Dutch National Opera Studio’s two-year young talent programme, Soprano Inna Demenkova also stars as Gianni Schicchi’s daughter Lauretta, showcasing the fresh talents of opera’s newest generation.
4. A three-course menu
For Director Barrie Kosky, the three operas of Il trittico are unconnected yet completely integral to one another. He avoids a single overarching concept linking the operas, instead viewing each act as its own world: “I prefer to see Il trittico as a three-course meal, where each dish is composed and prepared by Puccini as the master chef. Each course delivers a unique flavour profile, standing alone yet collectively crafting the evening’s overall experience.”
5. From light to dark
In Il trittico, Barrie Kosky collaborates with set designer Rebecca Ringst, who previously has designed the scenery for Die ersten Menschen (2021), Giulio Cesare (2022) and Agrippina (2023) at Dutch National Opera. Simplicity was the key word, says Barry: “If there’s a unifying element in my staging of these three works, it’s their design and aesthetics. The scenery is deliberately minimal across all three operas. We employ straightforward techniques to suggest settings, allowing the characters’ emotions and development to take centre stage.”
Il trittico will be performed from 3 to 19 May 2024 at Dutch National Opera & Ballet
