Elaine Bonazzi in The Trial of Mary Lincoln (1972)

Cornelis Opthof

Barbara Shuttleworth

Teresa Stratas

Norman Campbell

La Rondine

Puccini in English

La Rondine is perhaps the most underrated Puccini opera. True, the story doesn&apos;t grip me in the way La Boheme and especially Tosca do, but the music is gorgeous, Chi Il Bel Sogno Di Doretta I have long considered one of Puccini&apos;s most beautiful soprano arias. And this production, which I saw on a video recorded off the television by my godparents back in the 70s, is just lovely. Hearing the opera in English may be a shock for those used to hearing it in Italian, initially it was for me, but what is important is that the basic poetry of the words are still there and they are. This La Rondine looks beautiful, with traditional and elegant settings and sumptuous costuming. I couldn&apos;t help being reminded of Zeffirelli&apos;s La Traviata, which I love. The orchestra are lush and poetic, which is what the score needs I think, and the conducting is alive to nuances without it being dull. Teresa Stratas is just wonderful as Magda, Chi Il Bel Sogno Di Doretta is sung with beautiful tone and affecting musicality and her acting is very deeply felt. Anastasios Verenios is a dashing and vocally lyrical Ruggero, while Barbara Shuttleworth&apos;s Lisette is charming. John Walker is also great. All in all, a lovely production that looks beautiful and is wonderfully performed. 10/10 Bethany Cox

La Rondine is perhaps the most underrated Puccini opera. True, the story doesn't grip me in the way La Boheme and especially Tosca do, but the music is gorgeous, Chi Il Bel Sogno Di Doretta I have long considered one of Puccini's most beautiful soprano arias. And this production, which I saw on a video recorded off the television by my godparents back in the 70s, is just lovely. Hearing the opera in English may be a shock for those used to hearing it in Italian, initially it was for me, but what is important is that the basic poetry of the words are still there and they are. This La Rondine looks beautiful, with traditional and elegant settings and sumptuous costuming. I couldn't help being reminded of Zeffirelli's La Traviata, which I love. The orchestra are lush and poetic, which is what the score needs I think, and the conducting is alive to nuances without it being dull. Teresa Stratas is just wonderful as Magda, Chi Il Bel Sogno Di Doretta is sung with beautiful tone and affecting musicality and her acting is very deeply felt. Anastasios Verenios is a dashing and vocally lyrical Ruggero, while Barbara Shuttleworth's Lisette is charming. John Walker is also great. All in all, a lovely production that looks beautiful and is wonderfully performed. 10/10 Bethany Cox

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La Rondine

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