Viva la Mamma!

Composer: Gaetano Donizetti
Librettist: Domenico Gilardoni
Company: Florentine Opera Company

Synopsis

Time: 18th century
Place: "A provincial Italian theatre"

A regional (and mediocre) operatic troupe is rehearsing a new work—Romulus and Ersilia [a]—and faces numerous obstacles. The prima donna acts every bit the diva, refusing to rehearse. The German tenor cannot master either the lyrics or melodies. In the midst of much quarrelling, various singers threaten to walk out. The situation turns more dire with the arrival of Mamma Agata (a baritone role), the mother of the seconda donna. She insists on a solo for her daughter and even issues detailed demands on the musical arrangement of the aria. When the German tenor refuses to go on, he is replaced by the prima donna's husband. The show eventually collapses, and rather than pay back all the investors (whose money has already been spent), the company flees the town under cover of night.