Gianni Schicchi 1982 Review Clips

Pioneer Press
Light Opera Works' Scores with Double Bill
Suzanne Weiss

"Gianni Schicchi" was consistently good. While the opera shows the great Italian composer in his comic vein, it is, nevertheless,  grand opera - albeit on a smaller scale. And with artistic director Philip Kraus in the title role, the whole thing came off in grand style. Kraus, a fine singer and actor, was perfect in the role of the wily Florentine who rooks a crew of avaricious heirs out of the bulk of their cousin's estate. With a supporting cast headed by Ross Williams and Rebecca Patterson as an attractive pair of young lovers, and a set that looked like an anteroom of the Pitti Palace, it was "Schicchi" to remember.

The supporting cast of greedy relatives and bumbling notaries was wonderful, each singer managing, in a few brief moments, to create a distinct personality of his or her own. But once Kraus came onstage, his clever con man was the focus of all eyes - and ears.

The Reader
Light and Lively
Ted Shen

In the Light Opera Works' production of Gianni Schicchi, Philip Kraus assumed the title role. His performance was uproarious, cunning in phrasing and riveting in movement. A fine baritone, Kraus also proved himself a seasoned thespian. Rebbecca Patterson was a pert Lauretta...Ross Williams played Rinuccio as a callow youth. The relatives were all sung superbly. It will be hard for me to forget the lively ensemble in which they realized, one by one, that the money had been left to the monks, and their disappointment subsided into tears of dejection. The most prominent of the connivers were Zita (Ann G. Hoselitz), Betto (Bradley Nystrom) and Simone (Thomas Sandri).

The earth-tone bedchamber, designed by Nels Anderson and the colorful costimes of JoEllen Bendall evoked the look a Giotto fresco without being suffocatingly opulent.

Kraus's knowing direction kept up the manic spirit of the comedy while observing the delicate, nuanced details of the farce. The small sized orchestra, conducted by Barney Jones, produced a lush and plangent sound...

The Chicago Tribune
Howard Reich

It's a complicated scenario, and to Light Opera Works' credit, it was elegantly staged. The sets handsomely captured the time and the place, and the direction (by company artistic director Philip Kraus) intelligently rode the line between farce and frenzy.

The hilarious characterization of Gianni Schicchi by Kraus commanded with absorbing stage presence, and his way with a phrase was diabolical.