Gianni Schicchi, 1949
*Originally posted on Reddit.*
After some thought and comments from the wonderful people here, I decided to start this week of operas with Gianni Schicchi. I was fortunate enough to find the libretto in English and with a great translation, too. Plus, it's short enough to make for a wonderful afternoon's entertainment after a glass of wine.

Libretto

http://www.murashev.com/opera/Il\_trittico\_(Il\_tabarro,\_Suor\_Angelica,\_Gianni\_Schicchi)\_libretto\_English\_Act\_2

Recordings

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zya42-FNvkg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tah-3oPg\_ac

This is easily one of the funniest libretti I have ever read, and occasionally reading as I listened only served to enhance the mood. But I did have to stop occasionally, as it can be annoying to try to listen to singing while my screen reader is speaking. Regardless, the story is simple but marvellous and very witty. I only wish Puccini had written more comedies!

I honestly couldn't decide between the two recordings, since both were so good. Therefore, I listened to a little of each and compared them at various stages. Ultimately, though, I listened to the second one. The sound quality was absolutely wonderful and the singing was excellent. That said, Giuseppe Di Stefano (in the first version) had a beautiful voice, and I will definitely be researching him later. That one also has a little surprise at the end which I won't spoil. Perhaps, on another rainy day like this one, I will listen to it in full. For now, I'm still smiling.

#Puccini #opera #review

Oh--in case you're afraid of #opera (and I admit that my tolerance for the genre is strictly limited), there IS a workaround:

feminist, funny, Canadian. What more could you ask for?

All the Great Operas in 10 Minutes - YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vNReqUGtsc

#music

How I miss the good old Presto-backed Opera times when the speed dial was the killer feature. And the Opera Unite was the feature ahead of its time.

For those who hasn't heard of Opera Unite. Although I don't agree with the author's conclusions, there're many interesting details there.

https://www.ctrl.blog/entry/opera-unite.html

#opera #browser #tech

heise+ | Touch-Browser: Das taugen Alternativen zu Apples Safari auf iPhone und iPad

Auf Apples Handys und Tablets dürfen EU-Bürger einen Standardbrowser auswählen. Wir vergleichen 10 der Surf-Apps und klären, welche sich lohnen.

https://www.heise.de/tests/Touch-Browser-Das-taugen-Alternativen-zu-Apples-Safari-auf-iPhone-und-iPad-10516811.html?wt_mc=sm.red.ho.mastodon.mastodon.md_beitraege.md_beitraege&utm_source=mastodon

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