Composer

:

Ermanno Wolf-Ferrari

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Opera

Compose Date

:

Dec 4, 1909

Average_duration

:

43:20

Il segreto di Susanna is an opera in one act composed by Ermanno Wolf-Ferrari. The opera was composed in 1909 and premiered on December 4, 1909, at the Hoftheater in Munich, Germany. The libretto was written by Enrico Golisciani. The plot of the opera revolves around the character of Susanna, who is married to a wealthy man named Count Gil. Susanna is a smoker, and she tries to hide her habit from her husband. However, Count Gil begins to suspect that Susanna is hiding something from him, and he becomes increasingly jealous and suspicious. One day, Count Gil returns home unexpectedly and catches Susanna smoking. He becomes angry and confronts her, but Susanna manages to calm him down by revealing her secret: she is not having an affair, but she is a smoker. Count Gil is initially shocked, but he eventually accepts Susanna's habit and the couple reconciles. The music of Il segreto di Susanna is characterized by its light and playful tone. The opera features a small orchestra, with a prominent role for the clarinet, which represents Susanna's smoking habit. The music is full of witty and humorous melodies, which reflect the lighthearted nature of the plot. Il segreto di Susanna is considered one of Wolf-Ferrari's most successful operas. It is often performed as part of a double bill with another one-act opera, such as Puccini's Gianni Schicchi or Mascagni's Cavalleria rusticana. The opera's popularity is due in part to its short length and its accessible music, which make it an ideal introduction to opera for newcomers.

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