Il capello di paglia di Firenze (The Florentine Straw Hat)

About

A comic opera by a composer best known for his music in Federico Fellini's films and The Godfather trilogy. However, in the shadow of these Oscar-winning and other accolades, Rota's remarkable body of work in symphonic, chamber, and music-dramatic compositions is often overlooked. A striking example of his versatile musical talent is the comic opera The Florentine Straw Hat, with a libretto inspired by the famous farce by Eugène Labiche and Marc Michel. This story gained extraordinary popularity in the Czech Republic, particularly thanks to Oldřich Lipský's 1971 film adaptation starring the brilliant Miloš Kopecký.

Set in mid-19th century Paris, the story draws viewers into a world of absurd situations, mistaken identities, and uproarious humor. It follows Fadinard’s chaotic and adventurous wedding day, after his horse eats the straw hat of a stranger. His desperate attempt to replace the hat before the situation turns into a scandal leads him through a series of increasingly absurd escapades, encountering a colorful cast of characters along the way. Rota’s music, filled with lively melodies, witty orchestration, and inventive musical motifs that highlight the comedic elements of the plot, perfectly complements the whimsical nature of the story. It’s a masterful blend of Italian buffa, neoclassical style, playful energy, and the composer’s brilliant sense of comedic timing. The Florentine Straw Hat is one of the essential gems of 20th-century comic opera, and its delightful music, timeless humor, and irrepressible joy of life now come to you in its Czech premiere.

Creatives

Conductor: Marek Šedivý
Stage director: Jiří Nekvasil