La Rondine (Jan. 10, 2009)

Composer: Giacomo Puccini
Librettist: Giuseppe Adami

Armiliato; Gheorghiu, Alagna, Oropesa, Brenciu, Ramey

Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and Chorus

Approximate running time: 1 hrs. 54 min.

Puccini’s achingly beautiful score charmingly conveys the plight of Magda (the “swallow” of the title) who unexpectedly finds true love with the handsome young Ruggero. But their idyllic and happy life comes to an premature end as she is haunted by the fear that her checkered past will ruin his future. Real-life couple and operatic stars Angela Gheorghiu and Roberto Alagna portray Puccini’s star-crossed lovers. Ezio Frigerio’s elegant and sophisticated art deco sets add a dazzling touch to Nicholas Joël’s production, which premiered in 2008.