Poster A scene from Minnesota Opera's production of 'The Italian Straw Hat'
A scene from Minnesota Opera's production of 'The Italian Straw Hat'
Minnesota Opera
Minnesota Opera

Listen to Classical MPR's encore presentation of Minnesota Opera's 'The Italian Straw Hat'

Join host Melissa Ousley for Classical MPR's encore presentation of Minnesota Opera's production of Nino Rota's The Italian Straw Hat at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 7.

Rota is known for his magical movie scores (think: The Godfather) and for his decades long relationship with film director Federico Fellini. However, Rota was writing gorgeous music for the concert hall — and for the opera stage — by the time he was a teenager.

Last season, for the first time ever, Minnesota Opera brought Rota's hilarious comedy, The Italian Straw Hat, to the stage in downtown St. Paul. Groom-to-be Fadinard gallops around Paris on his wedding day, searching desperately for the perfect straw hat to wear to his wedding. (And why is he waiting till the last minute? Because his horse ate his first straw hat, of course!) Set in the 1950s, The Italian Straw Hat defines the meaning of the word "farce."

Watch a trailer for the opera below.

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