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Jan. 27 – Feb. 6, 2022

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Rachel Blaustein

Captivating Performance: Rachel Blaustein on Micòl Finzi-Contini

Rachel Blaustein, who leads the cast of The Garden of the Finzi-Continis, discusses her personal connection to historical narratives and how she developed her portrayal of the complex ingénue, Micòl Finzi-Contini. The opera opened to a sold-out crowd, eager to experience live theater once again. Blaustein shares her journey of getting to know the Finzi-Continis’ story and the emotional depth she discovered while learning about the turbulent history of Ferrara. As the granddaughter of survivors, working on this project deepened her connection to her family’s past. Praised for her “brilliant lyric soprano and apparent ease” (San Diego Story), Rachel Blaustein is emerging as a compelling artist with a profound sensibility to drama and text.

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Still from The Garden of the Finzi-Continis (1970), directed by Vittorio De Sica

Captivating and Timeless: ‘The Garden of the Finzi-Continis’

Step into the enchanting world of “The Garden of the Finzi-Continis,” a cinematic masterpiece that transports you to 1930s Italy, capturing the beauty and tragedy of a bygone era. Join us in experiencing this poignant tale of love, friendship, and loss, set against the backdrop of rising fascism and the looming shadows of World War II. Don’t miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in a film that continues to resonate with audiences worldwide.

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Left to right: Ricky Ian Gordon, Michael Korie, Richard Stafford © Sarah Shatz

Meet the Creatives behind ‘The Garden of The Finzi Continis”

What makes a production happen? Who are the people that create a world-premiere opera where there never was one before? In this series of interviews with representatives from NYTF and the New York City Opera’s latest production, get the behind-the-scenes scoop on the creative process that brought The Garden of the Finzi-Continis to life over the past few years.

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Ferrara, Italy

Ferrara acts as its own character in the Finzi-Contini Opera

The Finzi-Contini family narrative is deeply rooted in Ferrara, Italy, during the late 1930s—a time when fascism began to cast its dark shadow over the region. Ferrara itself becomes a character in the opera, representing both the beauty and the tragedy of life in an era of rising authoritarianism. This ancient city, once a vibrant cultural center, saw its population profoundly affected by the oppressive fascist regime and its exclusionary laws.

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Michael Korie ©Matthew Murphy

Michael Korie’s libretto blends past and present, fact and fiction

We spoke to THE GARDEN OF THE FINZI-CONTINIS librettist Michael Korie (Flying Over Sunset, Grey Gardens) about his collaborative relationship with composer Ricky Ian Gordon, the way he approaches adaptation, and the most exciting moments in our upcoming opera. Get the inside scoop before you see the dynamic new work.

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Michael Korie ©Matthew Murphy

A Unique Perspective: Judge Guido Calabresi on the Finzi-Contini Legacy

NYC Opera and NYU’s Casa Italiana are thrilled to present an exclusive interview with Judge Guido Calabresi, offering a rare first-hand account from a member of the original Finzi-Contini family. In this captivating conversation, Casa Italiana’s Director, Stefano Albertini, explores Calabresi’s unique insights into his family’s storied past, as portrayed in Giorgio Bassani’s novel, Vittorio De Sica’s iconic 1970 film, and the new opera by Ricky Ian Gordon and Michael Korie. Judge Calabresi, a Senior United States Circuit Judge and former Dean of Yale Law School, brings an extraordinary personal perspective to the timeless tale of the Finzi-Continis. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from a notable descendant of this remarkable family.

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New York City Opera Presents

The World Premiere of a New American Opera

The Garden of The Finzi-Continis tells the story of an aristocratic Italian-Jewish family, the Finzi-Continis, who believe they are immune to change on the eve of World War II

About The Garden of The Finzi-Continis?

With a libretto by Michael Korie (Flying Over Sunset, War Paint, Grey Gardens), The Garden Of The Finzi-Continis begins on the eve of World War II and tells the story of an aristocratic Italian-Jewish family, the Finzi-Continis, who believe they are immune to the changes happening around them.

As they make a gracious haven for themselves in their garden, walling out the unpleasantness of the world outside, Italy forms its alliance with Germany and begins to enforce anti-Semitic racial laws. But the Finzi-Continis discover too late that no one is immune, no one is untouchable.

Drew Seigle, Adam Cioffari, Rachel Blaustein, Markos Simopoulos, Spencer Hamilin and Robert Balonek.

Rachel Blaustein and Anthony Ciaramitaro.

Spencer Hamlin, Sarah Heltzel, Peter Kendall Clark, Kristee Haney, Rachel Blaustein, Brian James Myer, and Anthony Ciaramitaro.

Matt Ciuffitelli, and Brian James Myer.

Rachel Blaustein and Anthony Ciaramitaro.

Drew Seigla, Rabecca L. Hargrove, Mary Phillips Franco Pomponi, Melanie Long, and Anthony Ciaramitaro.

Sarah Heltzel, Peter Kendall Clark, Rachel Blaustein, and Kristee Haney.

The Company.

Creative Team

Music by
Ricky Ian Gordon

Libretto by
Michael Korie,
based on the novel by Giorgio Bassani

Directed and choreographed by
Richard Stafford

Conductor:
James Lowe

Set Designer:
John Farrell

Lighting Designer:
Susan Roth

Costume Designer:
Ildikó Debreczeni

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About The Garden of The Finzi-Continis?

Creative Team

Cast