In commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the death of Italian composer Giacomo Puccini, the National Opera Company of Korea will restage “La Fanciulla del West” (The Girl of the West) from December 5 to 8 at the Seoul Arts Center’s Opera Theater. This marks a return of the opera to the Korean stage following its previous performance in 2021.

Set in a small California mining town during the American Gold Rush, the opera explores the story of Minnie, a resourceful woman who owns a saloon and falls in love with an outlaw hiding from the law. This unique Western setting adds an unconventional element to Puccini’s repertoire, diverging from his more familiar works like La Bohème and Madama Butterfly with its bold orchestration and harmonic complexity.

The lead role of Minnie will be portrayed by sopranos Lim Se-kyung and Kim Eun-hye, while the role of Dick Johnson (Ramirez), the bandit Minnie loves, will be sung by tenors Park Sung-kyu and Han Yoon-seok. Baritones Yang Jun-mo and Hwang In-soo will play Sheriff Jack Rance, who opposes their love. Notably, Gerard Walhain, an artist with the Deutsche Oper Berlin, will join the cast as Ashby, bringing an international collaboration to the production.

The production will be conducted by Hong Seok-won, the artistic director of the Busan Philharmonic Orchestra. Known for his nuanced interpretations, Hong plans to bring out the opera’s unique character by emphasizing dissonant harmonies and orchestration, a departure from Puccini’s more lyrical works. This approach aims to highlight the opera’s intense, dramatic atmosphere, setting it apart as a powerful work within Puccini’s catalog.

The National Opera Company will offer a unique opportunity for audiences worldwide to experience the performance via an online streaming service. On December 7, the production will be broadcast on KNOmyOpera, Korea’s first dedicated opera streaming platform, allowing remote audiences to enjoy the performance in real-time.

This year’s staging of La Fanciulla del West also showcases modern stage direction, reimagined by Nicola Berloffa, who previously directed Così fan tutte with the National Opera Company in 2018. Known for his fresh interpretations, Berloffa’s direction is expected to add depth and contemporary relevance to the narrative.

Tickets for the live performances are available through the Seoul Arts Center and other major ticketing platforms. The National Opera Company of Korea anticipates that the event will serve as a meaningful tribute to Puccini’s legacy, inviting opera fans and newcomers alike to rediscover this extraordinary work.

Sayart / Kelly.K, pittou8181@gmail.com