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Puccini's Lost Opera Version Revived in London
7 Dec
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 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.
Ermonela Jaho delivered a compelling performance as Magda, her soprano voice drawing in the audience. Iván Ayón-Rivas stood out as a rising star with his passionate portrayal of Ruggero, marked by strong top notes. The supporting cast, including Juan Francisco Gatell and Ellie Neate, also received praise for their outstanding contributions to this significant operatic revival.
