This rarely performed work by Puccinni is a charming bit of theater. Set in 1860's Paris, it tells the story of a glamorous courtesan Magda and how sentimental love changes her world. It happens to be in sung in Italian (because it was written by Italians) so the name of the opera (which means "the swallow") is pronounced ron-dee-nay. Just so you know. Also, no one dies, so that's a pleasant change.
I wasn't familiar with this opera and didn't expect to like it as much as I did. However, it is Puccinni so I should have known better. The aria Chi il bel sogno di Doretta surprised me because I found I am familiar with it (though I don't know how.) It's a beautiful song. This aria is one of the underlying harmonic themes throughout the opera. The tune itself is introduced in the beginning of the first act by the poet-parasite Prunier. It's his new song about a character he's invented named Doretta. Doretta is smitten by the fashionable and new "sentimental love". Prunier's song is a story about a king proposing to Doretta. Doretta rejects the king because she dosn't love him and his money can't buy her happiness. Prunier then stops singing because he hasn't finished writing the end of the song. Our heroine Magda then takes up the song. She finishes it by singing about how a young student one day kisses Doretta so passionately that she now knows what passion is. Magda and the other guests at her house are all very touched by her understanding and appreciation of this ideal love but her boyfriend (a.k.a. the guy who paid for the house) tells everyone it's all nonsense and then gives Magda a phenominally expensive necklace.
And there we have the point of the whole opera, this conflict between pure sentimental love and the baser, more economic affection that rules Magda's life. Eventually Magda argues with her patron and runs away with a poor student to live by the sea in blissful delicious love. And, eventually, things don't work out. (It is, after all, an opera.) Throughout the entire opera the tune from Chi il bel sogno di Doretta return, wafting through and around the characters, changing each time to communicate what this ideal of passionate love really means to Magda and how ideals don't always live up to reality.
It's a beautiful piece of work. As for the Utah Opera's production, the lighting and sets are wonderful, the costumes are charming and the director stages it in a very honest believable way. The cast is solid and the chorus is fun in the cafe scene. The dancers are a little weak but, hey, no show can be perfect.
La Rondine is opens this Saturday and runs through January 22nd. The running time is approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes. Tickets for the Monday and Wednesday performances are 50% off so if you've got an extra $5 lying around, this is definately the show to go see.
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