La Rondine - Arteta, Haddock, Mula, Troxell

[CrystalFlames]

COI FIOR!!

I love this ensemble.

[polhas]

We just discovered this opera 2 weeks ago, and the beautiful melodies have not left our heads since!!! It's fantastic. Thank you for posting.

[orpheuschick]

Actualle, asisecanta, there are two endings - the one I usually sing is more Traviata-esque. Magda realises that she will never be acceptable as Ruggiero's wife because of her past, and she leaves him to continue her journey "come la rondine" moving with the seasons.

[juzzyfuzz]

I don't think I've ever enjoyed a tenor voice more than this man's (Marcus Haddock). This whole thing is absolutely STUNNING! It simply doesn't get more gorgeous than this.

[JuiceBoxter71]

Buttermilk

[nowayitskevin]

haddock's face at 2:07 is priceless

[Calaf120]

hermosa esta opera

[elephantbarbiegirl]

Yikes, just seen the finale-not a barrel of laughs

[elephantbarbiegirl]

I don't know much about this opera, only having heard a couple of aria.s It sounds light and gentle-is this a "happy" Puccini opera? What's the story please?

[asisecanta]

PART 1: It's a kind of light Traviata. Magda is a luxe prostitute tired of having a life without real emotions, and so, one night takes her servant's clothes and goes to a public party, unknown to everyone. There, she meets Ruggiero, a young rich man which she had previously received at her home, since he is a friend of Rambaldo, the man who let's say "paids" Magda's life.

Ruggiero doesn't recognise Magda, they become lovers and she goes to live with him...

[asisecanta]

PART 2: Act 3 takes place several months later, with Magda and Ruggiero living in the countryside. Magda is no more a prostitute. Since this point, the story is controversial, since there are 2 versions, 2 ends. In the frequent one, Ruggiero receives a letter from her mother, saying that she wants to bless the woman she is going to marry with. Magda confesses Ruggiero her past and leaves. In the one this production uses, Rambaldo returns and tells Ruggiero who Magda really is.

[asisecanta]

and PART 3: Ruggiero accuses Magda of being Rambaldo's lover and rejects her, so she, leaves, comitting suicide.

In my opinioin, this is a beautiful 50% opera-50% operetta, pure Puccini, plenty of leitmotives and memorable music. Fortunately, it is living a resurrection nowadays. A very interesting work.

It's a kind of Act 1 from Adriana Lecouveur + Act 2 of Bohéme + Act 3 from Fedora.

I hope this helps you to know a little better 'La Rondine'.

[michaelpoplett]

Well said, asisecanta. The production at the Met this year was quite sublime. It's a great pity that it is not performed more often here in England.

[fuentes1831]

Alangna's voice not up to the role. He should hear how to sing the brindisis of the second act by other tenors.

[fuentes1831]

Alangna's voice is simply not up to the tenor role in Rodine

One should listen to any number of other tenors to hear how the role should be sung. In particularly to the brindisis of the second act.....

[michaelpoplett]

Absolutely marvelous! I know it's difficult, but this opera should be performed far more often in England........

[juanbaritono]

I like very much the second Act because I am a Baritone singer in Tucuman Argentina that In july 14 and 15th We playing the Rondine I fill very sensations about this Scena.

[pnrteach]

This is lovely. My daughter is singing Magda with Mark Thomsen this Tuesday. I will cry for sure.

[yogasing1]

It was the Washington National Opera...I sang in the chorus for the production

[severfire]

you did great job! :-)

[mjmacmtenor]

I believe this video is probably from the Washington Opera production. I remember that was broadcast on TV and starred Arteta. Since Domingo is director of both Washington opera and LA Opera it also makes sense that they would share productions. Don't know if this production has been issued commercially on DVD.  The Met's new production will be HD broadcast in theaters, shown on PBS, and very likely also released as a DVD.

[HarpistRCM]

Brava AINHOA ARTETA!!!!! SHE IS THE BEST!!!!!

[applesetmustard]

i saw this live.

i cried.

[tomkellycartoons]

Do you know when and where this video was made? At LA Opera, we had the same set (and Mr. Haddock, lucky us....). I'd love to get this version.

[tomkellycartoons]

Does anyone have a Youtube video of a gorgeous aria that was left out of La Rondine?

It is "Morire." On the La Rondine cd with Angela Gheorghiu and Roberto Alanga, you'll find it at the end. Lovely and enchanting. I'd love to see a video of it, but can't find it...but then, I'm kind of a dork on the computer.

[kayaalniak]

"Parigi è la città dei desideri" is also included on José Cura's debut CD (1997) of Puccini arias.

Unfortunately is not included in either of the available DVDs ( San Carlo/1958 and La Fenice/2007) of La Rondine.

"Morire" is also on Domingo's 1989 recording of Puccini songs.

[tomkellycartoons]

I just saw this at LA Opera with this tenor (Marcus Haddock. Excellent. Very "Broadway-like" score...or, I should say, much of Broadway is influenced by Puccini...especially this opera. Wonderful!

[jeffro887]

I can't wait to see this at the Met next season!

[DrMatt60]

Can I buy a complete version of this video. I am so moved by the production, and singing. The clips are only a tease. I wished I was there that night in the audience. What an experience this must have been.

[mariavelasco]

Bravi!!!

[kazimierzmichalkiwic]

I have a big doubt, - buy or not buy this opera(maybe operetta). I can buy only pappano, molinari-pradelli or maazel version, but I don't know which is the best -each version is expensive.

[kurtkaufman]

My favorite is the Pappano version, being the most polished. But you might try borrowing the CDs from your local library or checking out amazon to play the clips. Altogether you can listen to about 15 minutes of each, and you should be able to decide which voices are most to your taste.

[yuenkoi]

Truly wonderfull opera - my favourite.Every bit as good as the other more popular Puccini operas.

[Benjamin7519]

I disagree....La Rondine is by far the BEST Puccini operetta ever written!!

[marioegorga]

For years critics always said this score was just not as good as the other Puccini operas.I disagree it has some of the most beautiful music Puccini ever wrote.

[wisequeen]

without a doubt it is diverse and beautiful

[royco50]

A beautiful extract from a wonderful opera - very moving.