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Puccini's elopement with one of his pupils, Elvira Gemignani, had lasting consequences, yet they remained together until his death in 1924.

Puccini's elopement with one of his pupils, Elvira Gemignani, had lasting consequences. A married woman with two children, Elvira took a brave leap when she ran off with him.

Having survived the ensuing scandal, the couple conducted their relationship in a fashion which, for most of their friends and colleagues, defied comprehension. Yet despite Puccini's frequent infidelities and her obsessive jealousy, they remained together until his death in 1924.

Capriccio sinfonico (excerpts)
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Jacek Kaspszyk (conductor)

Sola, perduta, abbandonata (Manon Lescaut, Act 4)
Julia Varady (soprano)
Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra
Marcello Viotti (conductor)

La boheme (Act 1)
Mirella Freni (soprano)
Luciano Pavarotti, Michael Senechal (tenors)
Nicolai Ghiaurov (bass)
Gianni Maffeo, Rolando Panerai (baritones)
Berlin Philharmonic Choir and Orchestra
Herbert von Karajan (conductor)

Senza mamma, o bimbo (Suor Angelica)
Julia Varady (soprano)
Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra
Marcello Viotti (conductor).

1 hour

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