Opera review: La Rondine, Royal Opera House

PUCCINI described his little-known opera La Rondine as a “Commedia Lirica”, but the problem is that there's precious little comedy in it and the story-line is distinctly less lyrical that his earlier masterpieces such as La Boheme, Madam Butterfly and Tosca.

La Rondine at the Royal Opera House PIC ASHMORE La Rondine at the Royal Opera House (PIC: ASHMORE)

The tale is that old opera favourite of doomed love: Magda falls for Ruggero, a young innocent visiting Paris for the first time, and ditches the wealthy banker whose mistress she had been.

After a blissful time together, she realises that her scurrilous past as a courtesan prevents her ever being accepted by his family. She tells him it's all over and they all live unhappily ever after.

With the wonderful Romanian soprano Angela Gheorghiu as Magda and the American tenor Charles Castronovo in powerful form as Ruggero, we can be sure of a vocal treat.

These lead roles are well supported by Edgaras Montvidas as the poet Prunier and Sabina Puertolas as the maid Lisette, who together inject as much comedy into the opera as the rather sluggish plot allows.

Great singing, great design, some lovely touches in Nicolas Joel's production, but the whole experience was a little underwhelming

On top of that, the sets designed by Ezio Frigerio are the perfect mixture of elegance and magnificence. Indeed, the only fault I found with the production was that the orchestra, under Marco Armiliato, seemed to me to be sometimes too loud for the comfort of the singers.

Great singing, great design, some lovely touches in Nicolas Joel's production, but the whole experience was a little underwhelming, especially if you have been brought up on the true drama of La Boheme and Madame Butterfly.

As so often, when an opera is rarely performed, there is a good reason for it.

The Royal Opera has made great efforts to resuscitate La Rondine, but it simply does not compare with Puccini's best works. Worth seeing for the singing, but I fear this opera will remain a curiosity.

Tickets: 020 7304 4000 or www.roh.org.uk (until July 21)
Verdict: 3/5

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