La fanciulla del West

La Fanciulla del West (The Girl of the Golden West) is an opera in three acts by Giacomo Puccini to an Italian libretto by Guelfo Civinini and Carlo Zangarini, based on the play The Girl of the Golden West by David Belasco. First performance: New York, 1910.

History

After the success of his opera Madama Butterfly, Puccini returned to the source of its inspiration, David Belasco. Belasco, playwrite for Madam Butterfly had also written The Girl of the Gold West, and Puccini selected that drama for his next opera.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

It was first performed on 10 December 1910 in New York City at the Metropolitan Opera House with Emmy Destinn as Minnie, Caruso as Dick Johnson and Pasquale Amato as Jack Rance; Arturo Toscanini conducted the premiere.

Related Topics:
10 December - 1910 - New York City - Metropolitan Opera House - Caruso - Arturo Toscanini

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

This opera was the first world premiere for the Metropolitan Opera House, and was a huge success in the United States. Despite that, it was never as popular in Europe. It has less of the "showstopping" highlights that are characteristic of other Puccini operas, but is admired for being far better integrated than his earlier work. It is still occasionally performed, but not as often as Puccini's other mature operas.

Related Topics:
Metropolitan Opera House - United States - Europe

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~