A poster for the Italian premiere.

La rondine (The Swallow) is an opera in three acts by Giacomo Puccini to an Italian libretto by Giuseppe Adami, based on a libretto by Alfred Maria Willner and Heinz Reichert. It was first performed at the Théâtre de l’Opéra (or the Théâtre du Casino) in Monte Carlo on 27 March 1917. Image File history File links La_rondine. ... Jump to: navigation, search Giacomo Puccini Giacomo Antonio Domenico Michele Secondo Maria Puccini (December 22, 1858 – November 29, 1924) is regarded as one of the great operatic composers of the late 19th and early 20th century. ... A libretto is the body of words used in an extended musical work such as an opera, operetta, oratorio, or musical. ... Monte Carlo is a very wealthy section of the city-state of Monaco known for its casino, gambling, beaches, glamour, and sightings of famous people. ... March 27 is the 86th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (87th in Leap years). ... Jump to: navigation, search 1917 was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar. ...

In October 1913, directors of the Carltheater asked Puccini to compose an operetta. After confirming that it could take the form of a through-composed comic opera "like Rosenkavalier but more amusing and more organic," he agreed. For two years, the work proceeded slowly. Because of the outbreak World War I, the contract was revised, the Viennese management released their rights to the opera’s première, and the neutral territory of Monte Carlo was selected for the opening. In Italy Puccini tried to sell the rights to his editor Giulio Ricordi who refused. Ricordi's rival Sonsogno didn't think twice when he got the change to finally get the rights to an opera of Italy's most famous living composer. Ironically La rondine was also, through the years, one of Puccini's least successful operas.

Characters

• Principle roles
  • Magda (soprano)
  • Ruggero (tenor)
  • Lisette (soprano)
  • Prunier (tenor)
• Minor roles
  • Rambaldo (baritone)
  • Périchaud (baritone)
  • Gobin (tenor)
  • Crébillon (baritone)
  • Yvette (soprano)
  • Bianca (soprano)
  • Suzy (mezzo-soprano)
  • Rabonniero (bass)
• Other
  • Major Domo (bass)
  • Georgette (soprano)
  • Gabriella (soprano)
  • Lolette (soprano)
  • Adolfo (tenor)
  • Two women (soprano)
  • Three men (tenor)
  • Youth (tenor)
  • Two students (tenor)
  • Three girls (soprano)
  • Chorus

Jump to: navigation, search Look up Soprano on Wiktionary, the free dictionary In music, a soprano is a singer with a voice ranging approximately from the A below middle C to high C two octaves above middle C (i. ... In music, a tenor is a male singer with a high voice (although not as high as a countertenor). ... Jump to: navigation, search This is an article on the voice type. ... A mezzo-soprano (meaning medium soprano in Italian) is a female singer with a range usually extending from the A below middle C to the F an eleventh above middle C. Mezzo-sopranos generally have a darker (or lower) vocal tone than sopranos, and their vocal range is between that... A basso (or bass) is a male singer who sings in the lowest vocal range of the human voice. ...

Noted arias

• "Chi il bel sogno di Doretta" (Magda)
• "Ore dolce e divine" (Magda)
• "Parigi, e la citta dei desideri" (Ruggero)
• "Dimmi che vuoi seguirmi alla mia casa" (Ruggero)

Synopsis

Place: Paris.

Time: Mid-19th century.

Act I. At a cocktail party in Magda's salon, Prunier declares that love is in the air. He sings his latest song. Magda completes the song. She explains that as the kept woman of Rambaldo, she does not know true love. She recalls her youth, her aunt, and a young student she met and loved briefly. The young man Ruggero enters with an introduction for Rambaldo. He asks where the best place to spend a night in Paris is. The guests agree it is Bullier's. After the guests leave, Prunier returns in secret to escort the maid Lisette to that cabaret. Later, Magda, on a whim, disguises herself and also goes. Jump to: navigation, search The Eiffel Tower has become a symbol of Paris throughout the world. ...

Act II. At Bullier's, everyone is singing and dancing. Magda meets Ruggero, and they dance and fall in love. Lisette recognizes Magda, but Prunier tells her she is mistaken. At the table, Lisette confesses to borrowing Magda's clothing and jewelry. Rambaldo enters, and Magda quietly has Prunier hide Ruggero. Rambaldo demands an explanation, and she explains that this is true love. She wants to stay with Ruggero and leave him. After he leaves, Ruggero returns, and the couple confesses their love.

Act III. Magda and Ruggero are living in a cottage by the sea. He has no idea how they will pay their mounting bills. He tells Magda that he written his parents for permission to marry her. Magda is deeply touched, but knows that she can never marry him because of her past. Prunier and Lisette arrive. She has had a disaterous and brief career as an actress, constantly criticized by Prunier. She begs for her job back, and Magda consents. Prunier delivers the message that Rambaldo wants her back. He tells her that she cannot maintain a life here. Ruggero returns with the letter permitting the marriage. Magda finally tells all to Ruggero. Like a swallow, she flies back to Rambaldo, leaving Ruggero heart-broken.