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Puccini's World

Donald Macleod explores how the beginning of the 20th century saw Puccini searching for a new dramatic direction.

Donald Macleod explores how the beginning of the 20th century saw Puccini searching for a new dramatic direction. The world around him was changing and he was feeling distinctly out of step. On the one hand he was seen as the successor to Verdi, while on the other his detractors felt his music had no Italian character whatsoever.

Aranci, ninnoli! Caldi i marroni e caramelle! (La boheme, Act 2)
Chorus of Maggio Musicale Fiorentino and Coro di voci bianche della Scuola di Musica di Fiesole
Israel Philharmonic Orchestra
Zubin Mehta (conductor)

Il tabarro (excerpt)
Philharmonia Orchestra
Antonio Pappano (conductor)

Nulla!... Silenzio! (Il tabarro)
Carlo Guelfi (baritone)
Philharmonia Orchestra
Antonio Pappano (conductor)

Perche mai cercate di saper... Bevo al tuo fresco sorriso (La rondine, Act 2)
Angela Gheorghiu (soprano)
Roberto Alagna (tenor)
Inva Mula (soprano)
William Matteuzzi (baritone)
London Voices
London Symphony Orchestra
Antonio Pappano (conductor)

Torture and death of Liu (Turandot, Act 3)
Montserrrat Caballe (soprano)
Tom Krause (baritone)
Luciano Pavarotti (tenor)
Joan Sutherland (soprano)
Nicolai Ghiaurov (bass)
John Alldis Choir
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Zubin Mehta (conductor)

Datemi il testamento!... Ecco la cappellina! (Gianni Schicchi)
Tito Gobbi (baritone)
Victoria de los Angeles (soprano)
Carlo del Monte (tenor)
Anna Maria Canali (mezzo-soprano)
Paolo Montarsolo (bass)
Orchestra of the Rome Opera Theatre
Gabriele Santini (conductor)

Oh saro la piu bella (Manon Lescaut, Act 2)
Mirella Freni (soprano)
Placido Domingo (tenor)
Philharmonia Orchestra
Giuseppe Sinopoli (conductor).

1 hour

Last on

Boxing Day 2008 22:30

Broadcasts

  • Fri 4 Jan 2008 12:00
  • Fri 4 Jan 2008 20:45
  • Boxing Day 2008 12:00
  • Boxing Day 2008 22:30

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