It’s a hundred years ago that the swallow first flew. I am, of course, referring to Puccini’s swallow, ‘La Rondine’, his unduly neglected semi-operetta which was first performed at Montecarlo (the French one…not the one near us in the Lucchesia).

We attended a performance of this truly delightful piece at the open-air theatre by Puccini’s lakeside house at Torre Del Lago this July 15th.

In the theatre’s exhibition space, among other items, there was an amazing paper sculpture which somehow reminded one of those terracotta warriors.

There was a brisk wind blowing – a ‘libeccio’ – and the Apuan Mountains and the lake could be seen crystal clear against a brilliant sunset.

It was rightly a dramatic opening to a great evening. Throughout the performance we could hear the waves lapping against the shore. It was not, however, unduly a distracting sound and the wind did wonders with the female singers’ dresses!

Up to the wrenching finale when a mini-Traviata like situation (without the heavy bits) is enacted there’s one gorgeous melody after another. Act two represents a Bohème-like café Momus scenario with lively interchanges between courting couples, a great chorus and some delicate choreography.

All I can say about the performance at Torre del Lago is that it was one of the most perfect productions I have heard there for some time. The sets and costumes were so appropriate to a nineteenth century Parisian scene and the descending circular staircase was a scenic inspiration.  The singing was on the highest level, particularly the two main protagonists Donata D’Annunzio Lombardi as Magda and Leonardo Caimi as Ruggero. The conducting by Beatrice Venezi (still not many women conductors in Italy) was most sensitive.

Every time I attend a performance of ‘la Rondine’ (which is not too often since it is one of the least given of the maestro’s works) my estimation of this opera/operetta increases. There’s so much of Puccini’s heart in it that it could only come out of a fraught extra-marital love affair (which we know now it does – with a German baroness Puccini was secretly meeting up with). If you are lucky to attend the next performance of la Rondine at the lakeside do listen out for the exquisite quartet Bevo al tuo fresco sorriso, between Magda, Ruggero, Lisette and Prunier in act two and Ruggiero’s aria:  Dimmi che vuoi seguirmi alla mia casa in act three.

It’s ‘Il sogno di Doretta’, however, which melts my heart every time I hear it. Due to the normal restrictions on taking photos or recordings at a live performance I can only present you with one of my favourite recordings: Renée Fleming

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNt3iiqjLww

Who does not know ‘La Rondine’ does not truly know Puccini!

This is the cast list of the performance we attended.

LA RONDINE

Do check out future performances at the festival’s web site at

Edizione 2017

PS Here is an excerpt from the performance we attended, courtesy of NOI TV. You can see how windy it was that night!