Antonio Pappano: “Puccini’s symphonic poem: “La fanciulla del West“

Recording of Antonio Pappano’s seminar: “Puccini’s symphonic poem: “La fanciulla del West“ - part of “Kirill Gerstein invites“ hosted by Kronberg Academy. . Giacomo Puccini considered “La fanciulla del West“ to be one of his best works and the conductor of the premiere, Arturo Toscanini, called the opera a “great symphonic poem“. Yet, this piece isn’t performed nearly as often as Puccini’s other operas. In this seminar, Antonio Pappano discusses Puccini’s musical language and harmonic inventiveness in “La fanciulla“; traces the influences of Wagner, Debussy and Strauss and how these become organically folded into Puccini’s musical language; points out the experimental and explorative element of Puccini’s creativity and hypothesises what may have attracted Puccini to the plot. Pappano gives many examples at the piano. The vocal score and video excerpts of the recent production he has conducted at the Staatsoper Berlin are used as illustrations as well. ----- Kirill Gerstein invites - an online foru