About

Principal Roles

Montresor

50s · Baritone

The last descendant of a once-powerful noble family whose wealth and influence have long since vanished. He survives as a modest importer while living among the fading grandeur of an ancestral mansion and ancient catacombs. Intelligent, disciplined, and deeply self-aware. Beneath his reserved exterior lies a profound fear of becoming invisible in a changing world that no longer values the things he treasures. Years of perceived slights from Fortunato have hardened into obsession. His need for justice slowly becomes indistinguishable from his need for revenge. A complex, tragic figure whose dignity, pride, and bitterness are locked in constant battle.

Fortunato

Late 40s–early 50s · Tenor

A successful merchant and government trade official whose personality fills every room he enters. Outgoing, charismatic, endlessly talkative, and often hilarious without intending to be. He possesses a natural gift for winning people over and rarely takes life too seriously. He often mistakes confidence for wisdom and charm for harmlessness. His casual jokes and thoughtless remarks can leave deeper wounds than he realizes. Beneath the bravado is a man who genuinely likes people and assumes they like him in return. His greatest flaw is not malice, but an inability to recognize the wounds he leaves on others.

Featured Roles

Luchesi

40s · Tenor

Practical, good-humored, and well respected, Luchesi represents the balance and common sense that neither Montresor nor Fortunato possesses. Though he remains largely outside their conflict, his reputation as a respected wine expert unwittingly becomes the catalyst that sets Montresor’s plan in motion. In many ways, he represents the life either man might have lived had pride not intervened.

Angelica

Any adult age · Mezzo-Soprano

Owner of the town café and unofficial confidante of the town. Warm, perceptive, practical, and far wiser than most people realize. She understands the strengths and weaknesses of those around her and possesses an almost maternal concern for the community. Though capable of wit and flirtation when business requires it, she serves a deeper dramatic function as one of the few voices consistently urging forgiveness, restraint, and compassion.

Anthony

Mid-20s · Baritone or Bass

A young businessman with a good head on his shoulders and a strong instinct for self-preservation. Rational, observant, and fundamentally decent. Anthony sees danger before others do, but he is also remarkably skilled at finding reasons not to act. He desperately wants to be a good man while avoiding the risks that goodness sometimes requires. Throughout the story he becomes increasingly aware that inaction can carry consequences of its own.

Michael

Late teens–early 20s · Tenor

Anthony’s friend and frequent partner in misadventure. More impulsive, emotional, and morally direct than Anthony. Michael often understands what is right long before he understands why. He worries first, speaks first, and feels guilt most deeply. Though sometimes naïve, his instincts are often correct. His growing concern for both Montresor and Fortunato drives much of the show’s secondary storyline. Earnest, energetic, and often funny without trying to be.

Annabel Lee

20s · Soprano

A café waitress with a quick smile, a sharp tongue, and a keen awareness of the town’s social currents. More perceptive than people assume. She embodies the warmth, humor, and perspective throughout the story while serving as an active participant in the life and spirit of the town.

Ensemble

Townspeople / Chorus

All ages and voice types

The citizens of the town. At various times celebrants, gossips, revelers, witnesses, and commentators on the action. They serve both as the living community and, at key moments, as a Greek chorus commenting on pride, reputation, memory, justice, and revenge.

Scene I — The plan

Alone in his dressing room, Montresor reflects on his ongoing battle of wit and will with Fortunato—and sets his plan for revenge in motion.

Musical number: Soliloquy

Scene II — Carnival

Outside the village café, the townspeople gather to celebrate Carnival.

Musical number: Carnival

Scene III — Buco Nel Muro

Inside Angelica’s café, the celebration continues. Fortunato entertains the crowd with his wine-drinking game while Montresor quietly observes the townspeople and their foibles.

Musical numbers: Buco Nel Muro; Savour the Bouquet; The Italians Love Their Wine; Drink Up Before It’s Too Late

Scene IV — The invitation

Montresor “accidentally” encounters a drunken Fortunato in an alley. Playing upon his pride and expertise, Montresor persuades him to authenticate a newly acquired Amontillado.

Musical numbers: Young Lovers; Do You Still Think of Me; Amontillado

Scene V — Montresor’s home

Montresor welcomes Fortunato into his home. Fortunato's growing arrogance nearly destroys Montresor's carefully constructed plan, forcing him to improvise before the opportunity slips away forever.

Musical numbers: You Need Me; Amontillado (Reprise)

Scene VI — The search

Back at the café, the celebration continues as the townspeople begin to wonder what has become of Fortunato.

Musical number: The Ballad of Fortunato

Scene VII — The descent

As Montresor leads Fortunato ever deeper into the catacombs, each step brings him closer not only to murder, but to the complete moral collapse he has spent the evening trying to justify.

Musical numbers: Descent; Carnival at Twilight; Building a Wall

Scene VIII — Epilogue

Years later, Montresor returns to his dressing room and reflects upon what he has done.

Musical numbers: Carnival at Twilight; Epilogue

The chamber score is written for nine musicians:

Flute, doubling Alto Flute and Piccolo
Trumpet, doubling Flugelhorn
Horn in F
Bass Trombone
Violin
Viola
Cello
Piano
Percussion

Percussion includes drum kit, timpani, tubular bells, triangle, glockenspiel, cymbals, congas, floor toms, metal chain, mark tree, maracas, castanets, vibraslap and bass drum.