Introduction

 

 

A romantic Western opera on the 100th commemoration of Puccini's death

A priceless love at the end of a quest for gold

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In commemoration of the 100th year since Puccini’s passing, we present <La Fanciulla del West>, a romantic opera set in the American West. Although lesser known than <La Bohème> <Madama Butterfly> and <Turandot>, it is a hidden gem of Puccini’s work that stands out for its organic integration of drama and music. While inheriting the tradition of Italian opera, it combines romantic characteristics with jazz and folk music in a modern way. The gentle and charismatic conductor Seok Won Hong will once again lead the orchestra for <La Fanciulla del West>. Director Nicola Berloffa, who made his Korean debut with the Korea National Opera’s <Così fan tutte> in 2018 and followed it up with <La Fanciulla del West in 2021, returns to Korea once again.​

 

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Synopsis

Ramerrez, a notorious bandit, approaches Minnie under the alias Dick Johnson. At first sight of Minnie, he recognizes her as a woman he can trust with his life, and goes to her house to stay the night. The townspeople come to Minnie's house looking for him, but she hides him. After they leave, the sheriff bursts through the door, and the blood dripping from the ceiling reveals that he is with Dick Johnson. Minnie proposes a game of poker, with the condition that if Minnie wins, Dick Johnson will be released, and if the sheriff wins, he will take Minnie as well as Dick Johnson. Minnie cheats and wins the game, and Dick Johnson leaves the house safely. Some time later, the sheriff and his men arrest Ramirez, but at Minnie's plea, the townspeople allow the two to leave together. In the end, they leave to start a new life. 

Production

Conductor Seok Won Hong

Stage Director Nicola Berloffa