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Layered smudges of paint

Volpone (2004)

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Based on the play by Ben Jonson
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SYNOPSIS

A rich man in Venice (his Italian name means "fox") grows richer by a curious swindle: He pretends to be deathly ill and encourages others to give him lavish gifts, hoping to become his heirs. His victims are a colorful group, all wealthy and hoping to become more wealthy by unscrupulous means. Voltore (thevulture), true to his name, hopes to prosper by pillaging a dead man. Corvina (the raven) and Cornaccio (the crow) share this ambition; Cornaccio is willing to pander his young bride Celia (fresh out of a convent and deeply devout) if he sees a profit init. A key role in the plot is played by Erminella, proprietor of a brothel in Paris, who is looking for her long-lost son in Venice.

Volpone's manservant Mosca (the fly) has a fine array of flylike orchestral buzzes in the accompaniment to his arias anda role almost as central as Volpone's. Volpone pretends to die at the end of Act 1; he makes Mosca his heir as part of their conspiracy to get out of town with his ill-gotten gains, but Mosca betrays him, claims everything and kicks him out of his home, a development that postpones but does not block a happy ending.

PREMIERE INFORMATION

Wolf Trap Opera, 2004

Artists:

  • Conductor - Michael Barrett
  • Director - Leon Major
  • Volpone - Joshua Winograde, bass
  • Mosca - Joseph Kaiser, tenor
  • Celia - Sara Wolfson, soprano