Pietro Mascagni

L'amico Fritz

Italian composer Pietro Mascagni (1863-1945) wrote L'amico Fritz in 1891 only one year after his masterpiece Cavalleria rusticana began the Versimo movement. A charming light opera in three acts, L'amico Fritz relates the story of wealthy landowner Fritz Kobus' slow transition from disdain for marriage to the realization that he loves and wishes to marry Suzel, the daughter of one of his tenants. The change that overcomes Fritz is aided by his friend David, the local rabbi, with whom Fritz has bet one of his vineyards that he will never marry. The opera premiered on October 31, 1891, at the Teatro Costanzi in Rome, Rodolfo Ferrari conducting. While the opera is not staged as often as Cavalleria rusticana, it still finds itself on the edge of opera repertoire. The Cherry Duet in Act 2 between Fritz and Suzel is better known and often performed in concert settings. Instrumentation: 2+Picc.2.2.2: 4.2.3.1: Timp.Perc(2-3): Hp: Str (4[+SoloVn]-4-3-3-3 in set): Banda (3Cl.3Hn.3Flglhn.2Tpt.4Tbn.Euph.2Tuba): Vocal Soli (7 roles SSATTBB): Chorus.