Puccini’s “La Fanciulla del West” is among the most underrated works in the entire operatic canon. Despite being one of, if not the absolute best, opera by the legendary composer, it doesn’t get nearly as many performances as some of his more iconic or popular works. One of the major reasons for this is that it is one of his {…}
This Thursday, Oct. 4, 2018, the Metropolitan Opera will bring back Puccini’s “La Fanciulla del West,” which incidentally had its world premiere with the company back in 1910. In the context of other Puccini works, this one is seldom performed. For context, “La Bohème,” is the company’s most performed work, with 1300-plus performances in the company’s history. “Tosca,” meanwhile has {…}
Just like its heroine does in the final act, Puccini’s magnificent western “La Fanciulla del West” has come to the rescue. Because Maryland Lyric Opera’s original season-opening plans did not come to fruition, due to schedule challenges and a change in venue, it is now possible for Maryland-area audiences to become acquainted—or better acquainted—with this often-overlooked Puccini gem. Entering its {…}
The Wexford Festival has announced its 2018 season, which will run for a few weeks in October. This season will feature a number of operas, both rare and well-known, that should interest all sorts of audiences. The season kicks off on Oct. 19 with the double bill of “Mala Vita” by Giordano and “L’Oracolo” by Leoni. The work will be {…}
Every year, Metropolitan Opera audiences get pumped for a few things. But not many carry as much excitement as the Live in HD series. Every year the Met chooses a handful (or two) performances to showcase around the globe on the silver screen. Those are usually high profile presentations of new productions with opera’s greatest stars. And as you might {…}
A wise man of opera once said in my hearing, testifying to the enduring emotional impact of Puccini: “When I no longer cry at ‘Boheme,’ I quit.” The same should be said of “La Fanciulla del West,” from “Ch’ella mi creda” to the end – and so it is with Lillian Groag’s production that opened on Nov. 10 at the {…}
The production of “La Fanciulla del West” that has landed in the somewhat unlikely venue called Jazz at Lincoln Centre — but really is the Rose Theater at the Time Warner Centre – would be notable for a number of reasons. It signals the opening of the second season of the reborn New York City Opera. Great news for someone {…}
The New York City Opera has announced the cast for “La Fanciulla del West,” which is slated to open the 2017-18 season. Kristin Sampson returns to the company after an acclaimed run in “La Campana Sommersa” and takes on the title role in Puccini’s masterpiece. This season she will also take on the role Teatro del Giglio in Lucca, Teatro Goldoni {…}
For decades Marcello Giordani was a fixture at the Metropolitan Opera, taking on many of the classics of the operatic canon as well as some lesser known works. He made his debut in 1993 as Rodolfo in “La Bohème” and has gone on to sing over 200 performances. The tenor, who is celebrating his 54th birthday on Jan. 25, also {…}
Puccini’s “Tosca” had its debut on Jan. 14, 1900. Since then it has been an instant classic, one of the staples of the operatic repertoire. All of the world’s greatest sopranos have taken their respective cracks at the role with Maria Callas, Renata Tebaldi, Leontyne Price and Eva Marton among some of the many popular exponents of the role. And {…}
Thursday December 22 is the 158th birthday of one of the greatest opera composers of all time – Giacomo Puccini. The Italian composer is best known for his brilliant melodic invention and his operatic output, while relatively small when compared with the likes of Italian predecessors such as Verdi, Rossini or Donizetti, is among the most popular in the entire {…}