Puccini's La Fanciulla del West

Overview

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

N/A

Carol Neblett

Minnie

N/A

Silvano Carroli

Jack Rance

Robert Lloyd

Ashby

N/A

John Rawnsley

Sonora

N/A

Gwynne Howell

Jake Wallace

N/A

John Dobson

Trin

N/A

Norman Welsby

Sid

Francis Egerton

Nick

N/A

Tom McDonell

Bello

N/A

Paul Crook

Harry

Robin Leggate

Joe