The outbreak of World War I and Italy's declaration of war on Austria in 1915 prevented the opera's planned Vienna premiere, despite a contractual agreement.
Composition History
Puccini was initially encouraged to compose a lighter piece, which became La rondine, during a visit to Vienna in October 1913 to attend the local premiere of his opera La fanciulla del west.
Composition History
Puccini initially considered writing an operetta for a generous fee, but later decided against it, preferring to compose a 'comic opera, yes, like Rosenkavalier, but more amusing and more organic'.
Recording & Production
This recording presents a 'fourth version' of La rondine, combining elements from Puccini's first (1917) and incomplete third (1921) versions, along with a romanza from the second version (1920).
Notable Performances
The premiere of La rondine in Monte Carlo on March 27, 1917, was the last time Puccini attended the world premiere of one of his operas.
Recording & Production
The 1994 orchestration by Lorenzo Ferrero, an Italian composer and conductor, for sections of the third version of La rondine was necessary because the original full score of that edition was destroyed by bombing during World War II.
Critical Reception
Puccini's publisher, Tito Ricordi, rejected La rondine, calling it 'Austrian folly' and 'bad Lehár', leading to its publication by the rival Milanese firm Sonzogno.
