La Rondine (The Swallow) - Giacomo Puccini
Information about the opera La Rondine by Giacomo Puccini, and the best recordings available on CD or DVD, or for download.
Puccini's answer to Der Rosenkavalier (The Knight of the Rose) but which didn't achieve lasting success.
Recommended recordings on CD
Pappano/Gheorghiu/Alagna (EMI Classics 7243 CDS5 56338-2)
An excellent recording that transforms this neglected opera.
London Voices, London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Antonio Pappano, 1996.
Cast: Angela Gheorghiu (Magda), Roberto Alagna (Ruggero), Inva Mula-Tchako (Lisetta), William Matteuzzi (Prunier).
EMI Classics 7243 CDS5 56338-2
Recommended recordings on DVD
/Vassileva/Sartori (Naxos DVD 2.110266)
Based on Puccini's third version of the opera from 1921, this production was filmed at the Puccini Festival in Torre del Lago, Italy, in 2007. The arty production won't appeal to opera purists.
Orchestra and Chorus of the Puccini Festival, .
Cast: Svetla Vassileva (Magda), Fabio Sartori (Ruggero), Maya Dashuk (Lisetta).
Naxos DVD 2.110266