(1884-1970)
Italian playwright, librettist and director Giovacchino Forzano is best known for writing the librettos to Puccini’s Suor Angelica and Gianni Schicchi. Forzano was born in Borgo San Lorenzo. He had a varied early career, and studied medicine and law and worked as a baritone before turning to journalism. He met Puccini in 1914 and in 1918 wrote librettos for the final two operas of Il trittico, Suor Angelica and Gianni Schicchi (the first, Il tabarro, was written by Giuseppe Adami). Forzano’s other librettos included Franchetti’s Notte di leggenda and Glauco, Giordano’s Il re, Leoncavallo’s Edipo re, Mascagni’s Il piccolo Marat and Wolf-Ferrari’s Gli amanti sposi and Sly. Forzana was stage director for La Scala, Milan, 1925–30. He also directed propaganda films for Mussolini’s regime. His books include his memoir, Come li ho conoscuiti.
Italian playwright, librettist and director Giovacchino Forzano is best known for writing the librettos to Puccini’s Suor Angelica and Gianni Schicchi. Forzano was born in Borgo San Lorenzo. He had a varied early career, and studied medicine and law and worked as a baritone before turning to journalism. He met Puccini in 1914 and in 1918 wrote librettos for the final two operas of Il trittico, Suor Angelica and Gianni Schicchi (the first, Il tabarro, was written by Giuseppe Adami). Forzano’s other librettos included Franchetti’s Notte di leggenda and Glauco, Giordano’s Il re, Leoncavallo’s Edipo re, Mascagni’s Il piccolo Marat and Wolf-Ferrari’s Gli amanti sposi and Sly. Forzana was stage director for La Scala, Milan, 1925–30. He also directed propaganda films for Mussolini’s regime. His books include his memoir, Come li ho conoscuiti.
