The only opera by Mascagni with a French libretto, it was an immediate success with both the audience and the critics on its opening night at the Théâtre du Casino in Monte-Carlo on 16 March 1905.

One of its few revivals in modern times was on 4 August 2007 at the Festival della Valle d'Itria, using the original French libretto.

In October 2008, Opera di Roma used the Italian libretto for a new production of Amica in collaboration with Opéra de Monte-Carlo and the Teatro Carlo Goldoni [it] in Livorno.

Set in the mountains of Savoy around 1900, Amica is a classic verismo drama.

It recounts a domestic tragedy involving two brothers (Giorgio and Renaldo) and the woman they both love (Amica).