Puccini’s La Rondine to Stream

Saturday, July 26, 7:30 p.m., Orcas Center

— from Artha Kass —

Angela Gheorghiu as Magda and Roberto Alagna as Ruggero in Puccini’s “La Rondine.”
Photo: Ken Howard/Metropolitan Opera
Taken during the dress rehearsal on December 29, 2008 at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City.

La Rondine, the ravishing romance from the world’s most popular opera composer Giacomo Puccini, screens as part of The Met: Live in HD Summer Encores at Orcas Center on Saturday, July 26th at 7:30 pm.

The elegant romance La Rondine with an achingly beautiful score is the least-known work of the mature Giacomo Puccini. The story concerns a kept woman who defies convention to chase a dream of romantic love with an earnest, if naïve, young man. She is the swallow, or “rondine,” of the title, a bird who flies toward the sun. The central relationship unfolds in colorful locales in Paris and the south of France, all evoked with superb musical details with an abundance of waltzes a romantic vision of Paris and a lightness of tone. With the dynamic, real-life couple Romanian Angela Gheorghiu and French born tenor Roberto Alagna (Orcas audiences have seen Rohim as Don José in Carmen, Cavaradossi in Tosca, the title role of Don Carlo and in numerous other Met: Live in HD productions) performing the roles of Magda and Ruggero, it blooms into its rightful place in the glorious Puccini canon.

La Rondine’s unconventional drama is in fact one of its great strengths. It may well be Puccini’s most modern opera. This modernity infuses director Nicolas Joël’s production. With the story, originally set in the mid-19th century, updated to roughly the 1920s, complete with Art Deco sets and costumes, this production of La Rondine is sophisticated, charming and poignant The sets, by veteran designer Ezio Frigerio, and costumes, by famed designer Franca Squarciapino, emphasize the art-deco refinement of the Parisian scenes and the casual elegance of the finale. The lighting, so important in this highly atmospheric opera, is by the acclaimed designer Duane Schuler.

“Yet when all is sung and done, La Rondine remains a showpiece for the diva on duty as Magda and Angela Gheorghiu has virtually claimed the challenge as her own, and she devours it with narcissistic brio.” Financial Times

“The production is a visual feast.” —Variety

Tickets for La Rondine from The Met: Live in HD Summer Encores are $18 for adults, $13 students, $2 off for Orcas Center members, and may be purchased at www.orcascenter.org or by calling 376-2281 ext. 1 or visiting the Orcas Center Box Office open Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from noon – 4 pm. For more information about Orcas Center 2014 season events, please visit www.orcascenter.org.