Il segreto di Susanna
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Il segreto di Susanna (English: Susanna's Secret, German: Susannens Geheimnis) is an intermezzo in one act by Ermanno Wolf-Ferrari to an Italian libretto by Enrico Golisciani. It was first performed at the Hoftheater, Munich on December 4, 1909.
[edit] Characters
Countess Susanna (soprano); count Gil (baritone); Sante, dumb servant.
[edit] Synopsis
Count Gil returns home suspecting to have seen his wife Susanna walking alone in the street, thing he had forbidden her after the wedding. He is relieved when he discovers that she is playing the piano in the living room. But the passer-by was indeed the countess, who returned shortly before her husband. Gil happiness unfortunately hold only few moments: the room smells of tobacco. He is surprised: he doesn't smoke, neither smokes Susanna nor the servant Sante. Suddenly a horrible thought strikes him: is it possible that Susanna is unfaithful to him with a smoker? He speaks with the wife and soon he is ashamed of having such suspects. Gil wants to hug Susanna, but he notices that the tobacco smell comes from Susanna's clothes. She finally admits to have a secret, but she absolutely doesn't want to tell him which. Gil gets really angry and starts to turn the house upside-down as she locks herself in her bedroom. Finally, when Gil is going out to the club, she brings him his umbrella. Gil softens, they become reconciled and he exits. As soon as he leaves the house she closes the door and opens the small packet she gave Sante when she came home, taking out a cigarette. That is her secret! While she is smoking with Sante Gil comes back. Smelling the tobacco he starts to search the house for Susanna's lover on the pretext of looking for the umbrella he forgot. As Gil, having no success, furiously goes out, Susanna lights a second cigarette. Once more Gil enters and this time he is sure to have caught her in the act. He tries to seize her hand but he gets burned, finally unveiling the misunderstanding. They forgive each other and swear eternal love smoking together.
[edit] Performance
The world premiere of the opera was parformed in German at the Hoftheater in Munich on December 4, 1909 conducted by Max Kalbeck.
Discography
- Ester Orel (Susanna), Mario Boriella (Gil); Orchestra Sinfonica di Torino, Alfredo Simonetto (conductor); (LP).
- Maria Chiara (Susanna), Bernd Weikl (Gil), Omar Godknow (Sante); Orchestra of the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Lamberto Gardelli (conductor); Decca (LP).
- Renata Scotto (Susanna), Renato Bruson (Gil); Philharmonia Orchestra, John Pritchard (conductor); 1980, CBS (LP and CD).
- Elena Rizzieri (Susanna) Giuseppe Valdengo (Gil); Italian Radio Symphony Orchestra Turin, Angelo Questa (conductor); 2003, Warner Music (CD).
