by Günther Möller
In his opera “SUOR ANGELICA” Puccini uses the so-called “tavolette”. “Tavolette” (plural) means “little boards” in the Italian language. Since Puccini uses this term as a matter of course without explaining it further in the score, it can be assumed that at the time of the first performance in 1918, at least in Italian monasteries, the above mentioned little boards were known and common in use.
It is probably a wooden “signal” instrument whose origin may lie in a “Semanterium”, which originated in the ancient Greek Orthodox Church and was used for religious rites. (appendix 2) A similar instrument, although much smaller, is perhaps still used today to summon the nuns in some monasteries to certain liturgical processes.
The term "tavolette" also refers to a small board with a handle. A small wooden hammer strikes the board with a spinning motion (appendix 6). Such a “matraca” is known in Spain and Italy, where it is used for religious festivities such as Easter. It is a rather simple instrument, whose sole purpose is just to make noise.
