Yes! The composer has taken some recommendations under consideration and is implementing some major changes in the plot that also affects the music of course. The biggest change is the relationship between the barbers and the town. Without giving anything away, all I'll say is that the original opera had a very tragic ending, whereas now it will end on a different note, and the fate of some of the characters changes as well. Mr. McGonigle's health has actually improved since I started working with him. At first, he was very frail, couldn't get much work done in a day, and needed frequent rest breaks, some time for days. Now, he is in much better health despite his years. He's not exactly doing jumping jacks, but he does get a lot of work done each day. I think it stems from his improved attitude, and working with myself and other musicians that really do have an interest in the work no doubt is the reason. This work was written way back in 1952, and outside of a few private performances by singers with a piano reduction of the score, has been completely ignored. It is my belief that the work has merit. It has drama, a rather topsy -turvy plot (especially with the revisions), and is not without humor, some of it rater subtle, some of it bordering on slapstick. And of course, there is what at the time was very provocative language in the libretto that really held the work back, but in these modern times, isn't nearly so controversial, although the racial and ethnic slurs are going to be an issue. But Mr. McGonigle is adamant about keeping most of them, as he wants to portray people the way they really were (and still are). This continues to be a passionate project that I really believe in. But honestly, Mr. McGonigle might be feeling better, but he's still a rough talking, no bull shit guy, a product of a bygone age in America. Rewarding as the music may be, he's still a major pain in the ass to deal with!
To set the scene for this recording: Sammy Gabbles, the hardware store owner, tries to rabble rouse some men at his store to got to the barbershop to harass, and maybe even do violence against Luigi and Antonio.
Ya'll know what I'm a talkin' 'bout!
Most of us been into Luigi's shop,
done our share of things we shouldn't
have.
And if it 'twernt fer that damn dago
offerin' them things up, we
would never done 'em.
Now there’s an outbreak of the clap!
And there
twernt none of that until they got here neither!
And that cock hound
Luigi's been dickin'
some of our wives and womenfolk
as well, spreadin'
the disease,
havin' infected whores spreadin it too!
We can go to the law, but the sheriff won't do nothin'!
Here's what I
think we gotta do!
Git all our menfolk together,
head over to their barbershop!
Tell 'em once and fer all,
that all the nonsense gotta stop!
We scare the shit out a both 'em,
threaten them with a right sound whuppin'!
And if they give us any guff, any shit at all,
we right then give 'em both an ass whuppin'!
Our fair town of Paducah
needs
to be cleaned of all the sin!
If we don't do it now,
We'll all turn rotten from within!
Ya'll gotta stop going to their shop.
Sinnin' up and down ,to and fro,
No more gamblin, blowjobs or whoring,
Climb out that dirty black hole!
Git back to yer homes, straighten up yer life!
Spend time with yer children,
Rescue yer lovin' wife!
The goddam dirty dago
treats our wives like whorehouse bitches!
Ya know our womenfolk are weak,
and can be influenced by sons of bitches!
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