Puccini's La Fanciulla del West

La Fanciulla del West, Puccini's penultimate opera is based on a play by David Belasco set at the height of the notorious California gold rush. The composer took three years to complete the work, which, for him, marked a new stylish departure. With more modern harmonic combinations and local melodies, Puccini pieced together a far larger canvas than anything he had tackled before. In this recording, Piero Faggioni's highly detailed staging is matched by Ken Adam's superbly atmospheric sets. Carol Neblett sings the role of Minnie "The Girl of the Gold West," Placido Domingo is as ignitable as ever in the role of Dick Johnson, alias the bandit, Ramirez, and Silvano Carroli sings the sinister sheriff, Jack Rance. Conducted by Nello Santi.

Cast

Plácido Domingo Dick Johnson

Carol Neblett Minnie

Silvano Carroli Jack Rance Robert Lloyd Ashby John Rawnsley Sonora Gwynne Howell Jake Wallace John Dobson Trin

Norman Welsby Sid

Francis Egerton Nick

Tom McDonell Bello

Paul Crook Harry Robin Leggate Joe

Metadata from the source database.