Dive into the rich tapestry of Giacomo Puccini's musical genius with "Puccini ritrovato," a meticulously curated collection of operatic excerpts and orchestral works that showcase the composer's enduring brilliance. Released in 2009 by Deutsche Grammophon, this album features a stellar lineup of performers, including the legendary Plácido Domingo and Violeta Urmana, accompanied by the incomparable Wiener Philharmoniker under the baton of Alberto Veronesi.
The album spans a variety of Puccini's works, from his early compositions like "Preludio a Orchestra" and "Adagetto for Chamber Orchestra" to beloved operas such as "Madama Butterfly," "La Rondine," and "La Fanciulla del West." Each piece has been carefully edited by experts like Michael Kaye and Linda Fairtile, ensuring that the performances are as authentic and true to the composer's vision as possible.
"Puccini ritrovato" offers a unique opportunity to explore the evolution of Puccini's style, with excerpts from different versions of his operas highlighting his relentless pursuit of perfection. The album's duration of 1 hour and 3 minutes is packed with musical treasures, making it a treasure trove for both casual listeners and die-hard Puccini enthusiasts.
Whether you're a fan of Puccini's sweeping arias or his delicate orchestral works, this album is sure to captivate and inspire. The combination of world-class performers, exquisite editing, and Puccini's timeless compositions makes "Puccini ritrovato" an essential addition to any classical music collection.
Preludio a Orchestra (1876) - edited by Michael Kaye: Preludio a Orchestra (1876) - edited by Michael KayeGiacomo Puccini, Wiener Philharmoniker, Alberto Veronesi
La Rondine - (second version 1920) edited by Michael Kaye / Act 2: Ed ora bevo all'amorGiacomo Puccini, Violeta Urmana, Stefano Secco, Anna Maria dell'Oste, Plácido Domingo, Wiener Philharmoniker, Alberto Veronesi
Madama Butterfly - (original version 1904) edited by Michael Kaye / Act 2: Con onor muoreGiacomo Puccini, Violeta Urmana, Wiener Philharmoniker, Alberto Veronesi
Edgar (1889) - version recording to the manuscript edited by Linda Fairtile / Act 4: Sia benedetto il giornoGiacomo Puccini, Plácido Domingo, Violeta Urmana, Wiener Philharmoniker, Alberto Veronesi
Edgar (version 1892) - edited by Michael Kaye: Prelude to Act 1Giacomo Puccini, Wiener Philharmoniker, Alberto Veronesi
Manon Lescaut - (original version 1893) edited by Michael Kaye / Act 4: Sola perdutaGiacomo Puccini, Violeta Urmana, Wiener Philharmoniker, Alberto Veronesi
Manon Lescaut - edited by Michael Kaye: Prelude to the original Act 3, part 1 (1892)Giacomo Puccini, Wiener Philharmoniker, Alberto Veronesi
La Fanciulla del West - (first published version 1910) edited by Michael Kaye / Act 1: Il segnale - Oh, se qualcuno vuol quell' oroGiacomo Puccini, Violeta Urmana, Alfredo Nigro, Wiener Philharmoniker, Alberto Veronesi
Adagetto for Chamber Orchestra (1881-83) - edited by Michael Kaye: Adagetto for Chamber Orchestra (1881-83) - edited by Michael KayeGiacomo Puccini, Wiener Philharmoniker, Alberto Veronesi
Suor Angelica - (original version 1918) edited by Michael Kaye: Amici fioriGiacomo Puccini, Violeta Urmana, Wiener Philharmoniker, Alberto Veronesi
La Rondine - (second version 1920) edited by Michael Kaye / Act 1: Parigi è la città dei desideriGiacomo Puccini, Plácido Domingo, Wiener Philharmoniker, Alberto Veronesi
Edgar (1889) - version recording to the manuscript edited by Linda Fairtile / Act 2: Evviva le coppe colmate! - La coppa è simbol della vitaGiacomo Puccini, Violeta Urmana, Wiener Philharmoniker, Alberto Veronesi, Wiener Staatsopernchor, Thomas Lang