Millikin University - Millidek Yearbook (Decatur, IL)

Page 31 text:

Gianni-Schicchi is a comic account of the schem- ing of Buoso Donati ' s family to obtain for themselves all his property, which he has willed to the church. As the scene opens, the family is bemoaning the fact that their dear relative, Buoso, has died, but when they find the will, their feigned tears of grief turn to cries of disappointment. Rinuccio, who is in love with Gianni-Schicchi ' s daughter, suggests that they ask for his help. Schicchi decides to impersonate Buoso on his deathbed, since no one else knows of his death as yet, and dictate another will to a notary. When the OPERA GIANNI- SCHICCHI ' notary arrives, Schicchi, dressed in Buoso ' s night gown and cap, easily distributes the minor possessions among the relatives, but he leaves the most important ones, for which a few of the relatives have made private propositons with him, until last. As he dictates this part of the will, the relatives hold their breath. He leaves them all to his good friend Gianni-Schicchi. As soon as the notary has left, the relatives all pounce upon him, but he succeeds in ordering them out of his newly acquired house. The opera ends on a happy note as Schicchi is wealthy, and his daughter is now able to marry her lover, Rinuccio. CAST Gianni-Schicchi William Briggs Lauretta (his daughter) Nancy Zi, Eileen Tertocha Zita (a cousin to Buoso) Joann Harden, Helen Cox Rinuccio (Zita ' s nephew) Keith Frame Gherardo (Buoso ' s nephew) David Niederbrach Nella (Gherardo ' s wife) Janet Keeler, Mary Jo Kellams Betto (poor relative) Harold Henderson Simone (a cousin to Buoso) Joe Williams Marco (his son) Theodore Bell La Ciesca (Marco ' s wife) Trudy Geisler Master Spinelloccio (physician) Jerry Friend Amantio Di Nicclao (notary) Jay Cox Pmellino (shoemaker) Richard Gilmour Guccio (a dyer) Jerry Friend Gherardino (son of Gherardo) Barbara Munson

Page 33 text:

A distinctive feature of the Fiftieth Anniver- sary year was a program in the fine arts arranged by a committe of the faculty. This committee set up the usual local events: radio programs, Town and Gown plays, exhibits, and performances by Conservatory groups. It spon- sored a special Semi-Centennial Series of five programs by profssional artists: Basil Rathbone, the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, Paul Engle, Elizabeth Travis, and Dorothy Maynor. A committee of alumni sponsored the off campus sale of season tickets, which did not last long. Single admissions for the event in the Masonic Temple went fast, too. So popular was the red letter series that the University has voted to present a similar program next year. Those who manage to get season tickets will be fortunate. BALLET RUSSE DE MONTE CARLO