Woody’s Schicchi in Spoleto

I have no idea what I’m doing,” Woody Allen said to The Los Angeles Times, “but incompetence has never prevented me from plunging in with enthusiasm.” Mr. Allen was referring to his operatic directorial debut of Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi in Italy.

Allen’s Gianni Schicchi, one of the three opera’s in Puccini’s Il Trittico, opened the 52nd annual Spoleto Festival (Festivale dei 2 Mondi). The British baritone Sir Thomas Allen played the lead eponymous role; James Conlon (musical director for the L.A. Opera) directed the music with the Giuseppe Verdi Orchestra of Milan.

A scene from Allen’s Gianni Schicchi in Spoleto, with Sir Thomas Allen, Rebekah Cam and Jill Grove. Photo by Maria Laura Antonelli

The town of Spoleto in the Umbria region of Italy, during the recent festival. The stage is set up on the main piazza in front of the Duomo (Cathedral) of S. Maria Assunta

The maestro of comedy adhered to Puccini’s music and plot, but created his own twist on the comedy’s original ending and added an Al Capone-inspired flourish to the lead character’s costuming. The Italian audience received his interpretation with enthusiasm— a 20-minute curtain call followed the performance.