Puccinis La Fanciulla del West

La Fanciulla del West Puccinis penultimate opera is based on a play by David Belasco set at the height of the notorious California gold rush The composer took three years to complete the work which for him marked a new stylish departure With more modern harmonic combinations and local melodies Puccini pieced together a far larger canvas than anything he had tackled before In this recording Piero Faggionis highly detailed staging is matched by Ken Adams superbly atmospheric sets Carol Neblett sings the role of Minnie The Girl of the Gold West Placido Domingo is as ignitable as ever in the role of Dick Johnson alias the bandit Ramirez and Silvano Carroli sings the sinister sheriff Jack Rance Conducted by Nello Santi