The Knoxville Opera will close its season with two performances of Puccini’s “Gianni Schicchi” at the Bijou Theatre on May 8 and 10, 2026.

Ben Makino conducts the production, which is directed by Dean Anthony. The cast features Timothy Mix in the title role alongside Helen Zhibing Huang as Lauretta, Charles Calotta as Rinuccio, and Karen Nickell as Zita. Cody Boling sings Gherardo, Tori Franklin sings Nella, Daniel C. Webb sings Betto, Andrew Wentzel sings Simone, JJ Robinson sings Marco, and Hannah Shea sings La Ciesca. The role of Gherardino will be played by Isla Burdette.

The opera will be sung in Italian with projected English translations.

Ahead of each performance, pre-show talks will be held at the East Tennessee Historical Society, beginning one hour before curtain. On Sunday, May 10, the Knoxville Opera Camerata will host a pre-opera Mediterranean brunch at KoPita Authentic Mediterranean for patrons.

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