Synopsis

Opera fanatics are a passionate lot. “It’s an addiction,” they say. “Something to die for.”

Now, if opera is an addiction, then today’s date marks the birthdate of an Italian composer who might be described as the ultimate operatic gateway drug. We’re talking, of course, about Giacomo Antonio Domenico Michele Secondo Maria Puccini, who was born in Lucca, in 1858.

Puccini is the composer of three of the most popular operas ever written: La Bohème (in 1896), Tosca (in 1900), and Madama Butterfly (in 1904).

Puccini lived and worked during the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th, and his music brilliantly blended the gorgeous melodies of the 19th century Italian bel canto tradition with the raw, often brutal dramatics of the emerging verismo, or “realism” theatrics of the 20th century.

Unlike 19th century operas, when time stands still while a soprano sings how happy (or miserable) she is, in Puccini’s operas time always moves on, often relentlessly as the action hurls toward the, usually, unhappy ending, when the soprano dies of consumption, throws herself off a castle tower, or dies by ritual suicide with a Japanese dagger.

After all, Puccini’s operas really are “something to die for.”

Music Played in Today's Program

Giacomo Puccini (1858-1924): “Pinkerton’s Farewell” and “The Death Of Butterfly” from Madama Butterfly; Kostelanetz Orchestra; Andre Kostelanetz, conductor; Columbia MDK 46285