Set in medieval Florence, Gianni Schicchi is a sharp-witted one-act comic opera that explores themes of greed, deception, justice, and the power of love. When the wealthy Buoso Donati dies, his family is horrified to discover that he has left his entire fortune to a monastery. Desperate to keep the inheritance for themselves, they turn to the clever and street-smart Gianni Schicchi for help.

In a daring and hilarious scheme, Schicchi impersonates the dead man to dictate a new will—outsmarting the greedy relatives by securing the best parts of the estate for himself. Meanwhile, a heartfelt subplot unfolds as young lovers Rinuccio (Buoso’s nephew) and Lauretta (Schicchi’s daughter) hope that Schicchi’s scheme will also secure their future together.

With its biting satire, lively score, and iconic aria “O mio babbino caro,” Gianni Schicchi cleverly exposes the hypocrisy of high society while affirming that cunning and love can prevail—even in a world driven by selfishness.