Nuns such and fools aplenty

Opera Santa Barbara’s triumphant finale to their 2015 – 2016 Season was a two-punch knockout. Starting with more nuns than you could shake a censer at, and the heart-rending downfall of Sister Suor Angelica, transcendently sung by Maria Kanyova.

“Gianni Schicchi” lightened things up considerably after the intermission. It made for an emotional roller coaster, but there was wonderful singing and music, epic personal tragedy, and sophisticated farce with an underlying social message. Everyone was well sated by evening’s end, especially Buoso Donati, after he came to life again for the final bows.