MUSIC BY

Pietro Mascagni

LIBRETTO BY

Nicola Daspuro (pseudonym for P. Suardon)

LOCATION

The Downstairs Theater, La MaMa, Creative Shares

66 East 4th Street, New York, NY

SUNG IN

Italian with English Supertitles

RUNNING TIME

2 hours and 30 minutes with a 20-minute intermission

ACCESSIBILITY

La MaMa and all Teatro Grattacielo productions are wheelchair accessible and disability-friendly. Please contact us in advance for any specific accommodation needs.

PRODUCTION SUPPORT GENEROUSLY PROVIDED BY
Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation
Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation
The DuBose & Dorothy Heyward Memorial Fund
Eric Bottcher, New York City Council Member, Third District

L’Amico Fritz is partially made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.

Anna Laura Miszerak was partially supported by OPERA America’s Marineau Opera Grants for Women Stage Directors and Conductors,generously funded by the Marineau Family Foundation.

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This production of L’Amico Fritz explores the contrast at the heart of Mascagni’s opera: a seemingly simple libretto paired with richly nuanced, multilayered music. Inspired by Mascagni’s own desire to let music speak beyond text, the staging delves into the emotional complexity of the characters, where music evokes what the words leave unsaid. At its center is Suzel, the expressive core around whom the others revolve—her emotional growth and the tension with Fritz unfold through gesture and movement, revealing layers of unspoken truth. With a conceptual, symbolist aesthetic, the production opens emotional spaces suggested by the score, creating a world of suspended reality where characters navigate love, trauma, and joy in pursuit of liberation.

Anna Laura Miszerak, director

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ACT I

At the country estate of Fritz Kobus, a wealthy landowner with no interest in marriage, friends gather to celebrate his birthday. The local rabbi, David, teases Fritz about his confirmed bachelor status and predicts—half in jest—that he too will fall in love soon. Fritz’s jovial bachelor friends, Federico and Hanezo, join the celebration, followed by Suzel, the sweet and intelligent daughter of one of Fritz’s tenants, who arrives with flowers as a gift. Beppe, a young Roma violinist, also comes to play in honor of Fritz’s generosity.

As Suzel departs, David quietly suggests that she may soon marry. Fritz dismisses the idea, claiming she’s far too young. But David, seeing what Fritz won’t admit, wagers that he’ll fall in love—with his prized vineyard as the bet. Later, Suzel sings an old ballad and offers cherries to Fritz from a tree, charming him with her grace and ease. His friends call him away, but David lingers, engaging Suzel in conversation. Her kindness reminds him of Rebecca from the Bible—a quiet hint of what’s to come.
In the orchard near Suzel’s home, David stirs Fritz’s emotions by pretending to have arranged a marriage for her. Fritz, visibly shaken, tries to conceal his jealousy but cannot hide his growing feelings. He leaves abruptly, confusing Suzel, who is hurt by his sudden coldness.

ACT II

In the orchard near Suzel’s home, David stirs Fritz’s emotions by pretending to have arranged a marriage for her. Fritz, visibly shaken, tries to conceal his jealousy but cannot hide his growing feelings. He leaves abruptly, confusing Suzel, who is hurt by his sudden coldness.

Alone, Fritz reflects on his unease and the depth of his longing for Suzel. Beppe tries to console him with a song about the pain of unspoken love. When David returns and repeats the news that Suzel’s marriage is nearly settled, Fritz bursts out in protest—insisting the match must be stopped.
Back at Fritz’s home, Suzel arrives with a small basket of fruit. Pale and reserved, she hesitantly reveals her distress about the proposed marriage. Fritz gently asks whether she truly wishes to marry this man, and Suzel pleads with him to intervene. Realizing that her heart mirrors his own, Fritz confesses his love. Their feelings finally out in the open, the two sing of their joy and hope for the future.

ACT III

Back at Fritz’s home, Suzel arrives with a small basket of fruit. Pale and reserved, she hesitantly reveals her distress about the proposed marriage. Fritz gently asks whether she truly wishes to marry this man, and Suzel pleads with him to intervene. Realizing that her heart mirrors his own, Fritz confesses his love. Their feelings finally out in the open, the two sing of their joy and hope for the future.

David appears, pleased with the outcome, and awards the vineyard—his winnings from the wager—as Suzel’s dowry. The opera closes with celebration, as love transforms the once-guarded Fritz into a joyful and willing partner.

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