What is the difference between the standard and final version of Puccini's La Rondine?

The final version by Puccini has Ruggero angrily send Magda away, creating a bitter ending, unlike the standard version where Magda leaves nobly.

Who performed the reconstructed La Rondine in London?

Carlo Rizzi conducted the BBC Symphony Orchestra and BBC Singers, featuring soloists Ermonela Jaho as Magda and Iván Ayón-Rivas as Ruggero.

Why is this version of La Rondine significant?

This version represents Puccini's final wishes for the opera, which were rarely performed due to his illness and the score's destruction during WWII.

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Puccini's Lost Opera Version Revived in London

7 Dec, 2025

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Summary

Puccini's final preferred version of La Rondine features a bitter ending.
A reconstructed score makes the composer's less-heard version performable.
Soprano Ermonela Jaho and tenor Iván Ayón-Rivas impressed the audience.

Puccini's Lost Opera Version Revived in London

Puccini's opera "La Rondine" has been presented in its composer's seldom-heard final revision, offering a starkly different, more bitter conclusion. Unlike the standard version where Magda leaves Ruggero nobly, Puccini's 1921 revision depicts Ruggero angrily rejecting her. This significant shift in tone, along with added musical passages, was revealed through a performance led by Carlo Rizzi and the BBC Symphony Orchestra.

The reconstructed score, brought back to life by musicologist Ditlev Rindom and new orchestrations by Martin Fitzpatrick, was performed with precision and energy. The BBC Singers contributed to the expanded nightclub scene, enhancing the opera's vibrant moments. Though the cast sang from behind music stands, their acting effectively conveyed the drama and emotional nuances of the piece.