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Opera

Opera North's Gianni Schicchi and La vida breve reviewed: a flawless double helping of verismo

Both the music and stage direction are powerfully realised in this Puccini / de Falla double bill

28 February 2015

9:00 AM

28 February 2015

9:00 AM

Gianni Schicchi/La vida breve

Opera North, in rep and touring until 24 March

Is there a more beautiful aria than ‘O mio babbino caro’ from Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi? There are more overwhelming moments in opera, to be sure, but few arias can rival it for the way its beauty kicks you in the back of the knees; its gentle rocking motion causes your shoulders to slump while the little floated top notes dilate the music’s gaze, drawing the listener irresistibly into its secret promise of untroubled bliss.

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