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Sex and Murder
Giordano's 'La cena delle beffe',
reviewed by GIUSEPPE PENNISI
La cena delle beffe ('The Jesters' Supper') is an opera in four acts composed by Umberto Giordano to a libretto by Sem Benelli from his 1909 play. The gruesome story, set in Florence at the time of Lorenzo de' Medici, recounts the rivalry between Giannetto Malespini and Neri Chiaramantesi for beautiful Ginevra and Giannetto's thirst for revenge over a cruel joke played on him by Neri and his brother Gabriello. Giannetto's revenge 'joke' ultimately leads Neri to murder both Ginevra and (by mistake) his own brother. The opera ends with Neri's descent into madness...
Copyright © 11 May 2016
Giuseppe Pennisi,
Rome, Italy
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