Composer of the Week - Giacomo Puccini (1858-1924) - Puccini's World

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).