Why Did the Nazis Ban Mascagni’s Opera l’Amico Fritz?

A brand new recording from the Dynamic label let’s you hearken to this light pastoral opera by Pietro Mascagni and determine why the Nazis discovered it so objectionable

What was Pietro Mascagni to do after the sensational success of his verismo opera Cavalleria Rusticana in 1890?

Mascagni made the thought of determination to jot down l’Amico Fritz (“Buddy Fritz”) an opera that was far totally different in temper from his blood-and-guts Cavalleria. As an alternative, he selected to jot down an opera based mostly on the French novel L’ami Fritz, written in 1864 by Emile Erckmann and Alexandre Chatrian. L’amico Fritz presents a mild, semi-comic story of village life. It was a direct success when it was premiered in Rome in 1891, although it didn’t generate the furor that Cavalleria did.

Within the many years that adopted, Fritz was usually carried out in Italy. Nevertheless it was banned within the early Thirties by the Nazis and the Italian Fascists.

Why? What made Fritz so objectionable to fascists?

There’s a easy reply. One of many important characters is a Rabbi named David. He’s the perfect buddy of Fritz, the title character. One other character is a Roma boy named Beppe (a trouser function sung by a mezzo) who doesn’t do something too objectionable. The sympathetic presentation of those two characters was an excessive amount of for the Fascists to endure, in order that they banned the opera. After the second World Struggle ended, performances of Fritz resumed. Nevertheless it by no means grew to become a fantastic favourite.

Now a New Recording of Fritz Lets You Pay attention and Determine

Reality be informed, Fritz just isn’t a revolutionary opera. It falls extra inside the “tuneful” class. Of all of the tunes, essentially the most perennially beloved has been a duet for soprano and tenor, generally referred to as the “Cherry Duet” that has been recorded many occasions over time by opera stars.

However now there’s an wonderful recording of Fritz you possibly can discover on Classical Archives if you’re a member. It’s a dwell efficiency from the stage of the Maggio Musicale with a powerful solid that features tenor Charles Castronovo and soprano Salome Jicia. The conductor is Riccardo Frizza. It makes for a really nice few hours of listening.

So, what did the fascists discover so objectionable on this lighthearted story? The presence of a rabbi and a gypsy, that’s what. We’re certain the roles they play within the plot received’t hassle you a bit. Simply hearken to this effervescent, lighthearted opera and revel in.

The fascists missed out on one thing, however you don’t must.