Composer Riccardo Zandonai Librettist Tito Ricordi Based On a play by Gabriele d'Annunzio Company San Francisco Opera Association Touring Location Los Angeles, CA Venue Shrine Auditorium Season 1956 Language Italian Creative/Crew Conductor Oliviero De Fabritiis Stage Director(s) Carlo Maestrini Stage setting and lighting by Leo Kerz Chorus Director Gianni Lazzari Costumers Goldstein & Co. Cast Francesca Leyla Gencer Paolo, the handsome Richard Martell Giovanni, the lame Anselmo Colzani Malatestino, the one-eyed Caesar Curzi Samaritana Jeannine Crader Biancofiore Mary Gray Garsenda Jan McArt Altichiara Margaret Roggero Donella Rosalind Nadell Ostasio Carl Palangi Ser Toldo Berardengo Alessio De Paolis Jester Heinz Blankenburg Bowman Chris Lachona Tower Warden Murray Kenig Smaragdi, a slave Katherine Hilgenberg Voice of a Prisoner Virginio Assandri Show Dates Wed, Oct 31 1956, 8pm Time and Place Italy during the thirteenth century Scenes Act I -- In the courtyard of the Polentani Palace Act II -- The Ramparts of the Malatesti Palace Act III -- Francesca's Apartments in the Malatesti Palace Act IV, Scene 1 -- A Chamber in the Malatesti Palace Scene 2 -- Francesca's Boudoir in the Malatesti Palacew Notes New Production