Il Trittico Tickets
Opens 5th March
This genre-traversing triple-bill of Puccini’s one-act operas all about love, death and revenge features famous aria "O mio babbino caro".
Il Trittico in London
Olivier Award winner Richard Jones directs Il Trittico at the Royal Opera House, just a short walk from Covent Garden. This triple bill of contrasting one-act operas by Puccini explores love and loss in their aspects, from high drama to hilarious farce, and stars three different casts of performers, including opera superstars Natalya Romaniw, Étienne Dupuis, SeokJong Baek, Ermonela Jaho and Bryn Terfel. Dont miss out - secure your tickets today.
What Is the Opera Il Trittico About?
Love is laid bare, and death is concealed in Il Trittico (The Triptych), a trio of one-act operas from master composer Puccini. The triple-bill is composed of Il Tabarro, Suor Angelica, and Gianni Schicchi, each exploring loss, love and revenge on a sweeping journey through contrasting genres.
Il Tabarro
Il Tabarro (The Cloak) is the first opera in the triptych, and is based on the play La houppelande by Didier Gold. When one half of a couple, grieving the loss of their child, conducts an affair, it ends in tragedy in this dark, atmospheric piece set upon a working barge on the Seine in the early 1900s.
Suor Angelica
Set in a 17th-century Italian convent, Suor Angelica (Sister Angelica) features an all-female cast - a rarity for the artform. This solemn religious opera follows Angelica, a noblewoman who was forced to join the convent following the birth of her illegitimate child years earlier, whose world is turned upside down when her cruel aunt visits, bearing bad news. Suor Angelica features the famous aria “Senza mamma".
Gianni Schicchi
This comic opera is based on Canto XXX from Dante’s Divine Comedy; the opera follows the family of a wealthy merchant, who enlist the help of crafty outsider Gianni Schicchi to help resolve a dispute over their inheritance, when they learn that the merchant has left his entire fortune to a local monastery. The opera includes one of Puccini’s best-known arias "O mio babbino caro".
The History of Il Trittico
In 1904, following the success of Mascagni's one-act opera Cavalleria rusticana, Puccini began planning a series of one-act operas based on differing parts of Dante’s Divine Comedy. The project was composed between 1916 and 1918, and ended up with only one opera ultimately based on Dante, and the three pieces instead being linked by the concealment of a death in each opera.
The triptych premiered in 1918 at the Metropolitan Opera to mixed reviews, with critics deeming Gianni Schicchi the strongest of the three, and the piece is frequently performed alone or with other one-act operas from different composers, despite Puccini’s intention that the three works be performed together. This new staging brings together all three works, as intended, featuring three breathtaking casts.
The Creative Team of Il Trittico
Richard Jones directs. Jones is an Olivier-winning, Tony-nominated director of theatre and opera. His credits include Parsifal for Opera National de Paris, Don Giovanni for ENO, La Bete on Broadway and Skin Deep for Opera North, as well as work for the Old Vic, Glyndebourne Festival and Welsh National Opera.
Speranza Scappucci (Eugene Onegin, La traviata) conducts.
Il Trittico is composed by Giacomo Puccini (La bohème, Tosca, Madama Butterfly). The libretto for Il Tabarro is by Giuseppe Adami (Turandot, La Rondine), with the librettos for Suor Angelica and Gianni Schicchi by Giovacchino Forzano (Sly, Don Buonaparte).
Tickets for Il Trittico at the Royal Opera House
Fall in love with Il Trittico this new year. This daring trio of one-act operas runs the gamut from revenge tragedy to comic farce, and features one of Puccini’s best-known arias "O mio babbino caro", amongst other masterful compositions. Directed by Olivier winner Richard Jones, this promises to be an unmissable evening at the opera. Book tickets for Il Trittico at the Royal Opera House today.
This production is sung in Italian with English surtitles, displayed on screens above the stage and throughout the auditorium.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Il Trittico playing in London?
Il Trittico is playing at the Royal Opera House, 41 Covent Garden Piazza, London, WC2E 8RF.
What is the age recommendation for Il Trittico?
Il Trittico is best for age 5+. Under 5s are not permitted. Under 16s must be accompanied by and sat next to an adult.
How long is Il Trittico?
The running time for Il Trittico at Royal Opera House is 3 hours and 40 minutes.
Is there an interval during Il Trittico?
Yes, there are two 15 minute intervals during Il Trittico.
Can I buy tickets for Il Trittico at the box office?
Yes you can buy from the Royal Opera House box office where you will pay the face value ticket price, sometimes with a small booking fee. Search on SeatPlan to get the best prices and deals in one search including discounts not available at the box office.
What is the refund / cancellation policy?
Tickets for Il Trittico are generally non-refundable and non-exchangeable.
SeatPlan works with multiple suppliers to find the best deal for you. Each supplier has their own refund and cancellation policy, which you can review on the payment page before you complete your purchase.
