Soloists: Vassileva, Dashuk, Sartori, Giannino, Giossi Orchestra & Chorus of the Puccini Festival. Conductor: Alberto VernesiNaxos *****

For many years La Rondinewas considered one of Puccini's failures, and it was only in 2002 when Covent Garden staged a memorable revival that critics and the public began to fully appreciate the charms of this gentle and wistful work. Puccini himself described is as a "light, sentimental opera, with touches of comedy, agreeable, limpid to sing with a little waltz music". This production comes from a live performance at the Puccini Festival in Torre Del Lago in 2007. Its melodies are vintage Puccini and, when La Rondineis as well sung as it is in this production, they linger in the memory long afterwards. Lovers of Puccini should not miss this release at a bargain price.

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Download tracks: Chi il bel sogno di Doretta, Bevo Al Tuo Fresco Sorriso