Pietro Mascagni

L’Amico Fritz

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Sat, July 19 | 6:00PM

Sun, July 20 | 4:00PM

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.

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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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Creative Team

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ANDY ANDERSON

Conductor

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ANNA LAURA MISZERAK

Director

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TAYLOR FRIEL

Set Designer

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ANGELA HUFF

Costume Designer

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WILL ROSSITER

Lighting Deisgner

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RICARDO MONGE

Poster Designer

Visual Artist

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SAVERIO ALFIERI

Assistant Conductor & Collaborative Pianist

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JACQUELYN DOWNEY

Sustainable Design and Production Intern*

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* This internship focuses on developing eco-friendly solutions for opera production. The intern will research and implement sustainable practices for set materials, including responsible disposal and repurposing after The Tin Angel production. Additionally, they will explore ways to minimize paper waste in production workflows, contributing to Teatro Grattacielo’s commitment to environmentally conscious performing arts.

Cast

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JEREMY BARUNER

Tenor

Fritz Kobus

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KATHLEEN ECHOLS

Soprano

Suzel 7/19

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CLAIRE TENDL

Soprano

Suzel 7/20

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ERIN ROSALES

Mezzo Soprano

Beppe

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DANIEL BAUMAN

Tenor

Federico

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SUCHAN KIM

Baritone

David

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ALEXANDRA BILLHARTZ

Soprano

Caterina (Suzel Cover)

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STEVEN KIRBY

Bass

Hanezo

Synopsis

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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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GETTING HERE:

LOCATION

CLICK ON LINK BELOW FOR LOCATION HERE

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TRAIN

La MaMa Theater, located at 66 East 4th Street in New York City, is conveniently accessible via several subway lines. Here are the nearest subway stations and the corresponding trains:

- **2nd Avenue Station**: Served by the F train. Approximately a 5-minute walk to the theater.

- **Astor Place Station**: Served by the 6 train. Approximately a 6-minute walk to the theater.

- **Broadway-Lafayette Street Station**: Served by the B, D, F, and M trains. Approximately a 7-minute walk to the theater.

- **8th Street–NYU Station**: Served by the N and R trains. Approximately an 8-minute walk to the theater.

These stations provide convenient access to La MaMa Theater from various parts of the city.

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CITY BIKE

New York, NY

Located at East 5th Street and Avenue A, this station serves those coming from the Alphabet City area.

E 2nd St & Avenue B

New York, NY

Found at East 2nd Street and Avenue B, this station is convenient for visitors arriving from the Lower East Side.

E 6th St & Cooper Square

New York, NY

Positioned at East 6th Street and Cooper Square, this station is ideal for guests coming from the NoHo neighborhood.

For real-time bike availability and more station locations, you can refer to the Citi Bike System

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BUS

La MaMa Theater, located at 66 East 4th Street in New York City, is conveniently accessible via several nearby bus routes. Here are some of the closest bus stops:

Cooper Square/E 4th Street

New York, NY

Served by the M101, M102, and M103 buses, this stop is approximately a 3-minute walk from La MaMa Theater.

3rd Avenue/E 7th Street

New York, NY

Served by the M101, M102, and M103 buses, this stop is about a 5-minute walk from the theater.

Bowery/E 4th Street

New York, NY

Served by the M103 bus, this stop is approximately a 4-minute walk from La MaMa Theater.

East Houston Street/2nd Avenue

New York, NY

Served by the M15 and M15-SBS buses, this stop is about a 6-minute walk from the theater.

East 8th Street/Mercer Street

New York, NY

Served by the M8 bus, this stop is approximately a 7-minute walk from La MaMa Theater.

These bus stops provide convenient access to La MaMa Theater from various parts of the city. For real-time bus schedules and updates, you can refer to the MTA Bus Time website

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PARKING

Here are some parking garages near La MaMa Theater at 66 East 4th Street, New York, NY 10003:

403 Lafayette St. Garage

New York, NY

Operated by Park-it Management, this garage is located at 403 Lafayette Street, just a short walk from La MaMa Theater.

Best Parking

375 Lafayette St. Lot

New York, NY

Managed by Edison ParkFast, this lot at 375 Lafayette Street offers convenient parking near the theater.

Best Parking

NoHo Garage LLC

New York, NY

Located at 25 Bond Street, this garage provides parking options in the NoHo area, close to La MaMa Theater.

Best Parking

Champion Parking - 743 Broadway Garage

New York, NY

Situated at 743 Broadway, this garage offers parking services near the theater.

Best Parking

Hilary Gardens Garage Co., LLC

New York, NY

Found at 300 Mercer Street, this garage is operated by Algin Management and is within walking distance to La MaMa Theater.

Best Parking

Please note that parking rates and availability may vary. It’s advisable to check the latest information and consider reserving a spot in advance, especially during peak times.

For a comprehensive map of parking facilities throughout New York City, you can refer to the NYC Planning ParkingFacilities Map.

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Sponsors

NYC Cultural Affairs
EriK Bottcher
Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation
Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF)
World Basebal Network

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