The Uncle from RomeHaving fallen short of opera stardom in the United States and having recently lose his ex-love to AIDS, Michael Ruane ventures to Naples. He attempts to renew himself in several roles: as a minor singer in a new production of Tosca with a legendary diva and as the translator, director, and star of a production of Curlew River. But operatic melodrama is eclipsed by real-life intrigue when Ruane agrees, as a favor, to impersonate "the uncle from Rome," a figure who confers prestige and mystery on Neapolitan weddings. He quickly discovers that life on the streets of Naples often outdoes opera as he encounters ornate ritual, prostitutes of uncertain gender, mismatched love, forced marriage, and sudden death |
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Aganice Assunta began brother Calefati Callisto Castel Sant'Elmo chair chapel cheeks chicken church comprimario Curlew River d'Alessio Damian Darida Don Michele door eyes face fingers fish floor front Gaetano give gone hair hand harmonium he'd head hear heard Jussi Bjoerling kill Peppino kissed kitchen lips Madwoman marry Michael asked Michael felt Michael knew Michael looked Michael thought Michael waited monks Monte San Biagio mother mouth moved Naples Neapolitan never night opera Palermo pasta Penguin penne all'arrabbiata Piazza Piero raped reached rehearsal Rosalia saints San Carlo Sant'Andrea della Valle Santa Chiara Scarpia seemed shoulder side Signor Crescenzo Signora Spacagna singing slowly smile someone sorrow sound Spaccanapoli Spoletta staring steps stone stopped street sure tell tenor things told took Tosca turned uncle from Rome voice wall wanted wedding whispered window woman words young