The Taming of the Shrew (Giannini)

The Taming of the Shrew (Giannini) refers to the Italian opera La farsa amorosa, composed by Vittorio Giannini to an Italian libretto by Emmet Lavery. The opera is based on William Shakespeare's play The Taming of the Shrew.

Giannini's La farsa amorosa, meaning "The Amorous Farce," adapts the Shakespearean comedy, focusing on the volatile relationship between Katerina (Katherine) and Petruccio. The opera follows the main plot points of the play, including Petruccio's deliberate and often outrageous methods of "taming" Katerina's shrewish behavior, ultimately leading to a seemingly submissive wife.

While faithful to the source material in its broad strokes, Giannini's opera, like most adaptations, makes choices regarding emphasis and character interpretation. Lavery's libretto tailors the dialogue to fit the operatic form, and Giannini's music provides dramatic and comedic color to the interactions between the characters. The work has received performances, although it is not among the most frequently staged operas based on Shakespeare. Its enduring appeal lies in its musical treatment of the enduring themes of love, power dynamics, and societal expectations found in Shakespeare's original play.