L'AMICO FRITZ ( The love of Fritz ) - Mascagni
This is a portrait of Suzel, the fresh young girl that Fritz falls for. Innocence and virginity were the key themes here, the features that gave Fritz faith in both love and women, and restored him from the trap of cynicism. The model herself is as pretty and naive looking as can be, yet her direct gaze towards the viewer makes her seem more honest and true in her trusting regard than if she coyly shied away from regard.
She is surrounded by symbols of virginity. The white flowers are obvious, while to the left of the picture the horn of a unicorn intrudes into her solitude - and unicorns only come to virgins. The enclosed bower itself is the containment of the virgin, and to the right of it there are the heavily thorned rose stems that protect the purity of sleeping beauty. It is also hung with clusters of cherries, referring to the most famous duet in the opera, which takes place in the cherry orchard. She wears a simple peasant costume, and the womb life bulge of the straw hat covers her lap in an unconscious act of decorum.
The amphora at her feet is a further reference to the action in the opera, since it is a vineyard that Suzel is given by Rabbi David after he has won it from Fritz. There is also a pot of basil, a personal bow to the Pre-Raphaelites and Romantics in specific terms to both the poem and the painting Isabella and the Pot of Basil
Synopsys
Set in Alsace Fritz a wealthy land-owner and bachelor wagers a vineyard with his friend Rabbi David that he will never marry. He then meets one of his tenants' daughters, Suzel, bringing him flowers and gathering cherries. He is captivated by her innocence, and does the manly thing, which is run away to the city. Realising that he is not forgetting her, he returns home, and gradually comes to terms with his feelings. Eventually he marries her, and Rabbi David gives her the vineyard he won as a wedding present.
All images and text Copyright © 2003 Caroline Blackburn.