Prepare to be transported to the enchanting world of Giacomo Puccini’s as the Puccini Festival 2024 in Torre del Lago Puccini, Lucca , Pisa , presents a double operatic delight featuring the mesmerizing works “Le Villi” and “Edgar.” These two lesser-known gems by the maestro promise to cast their spell on audiences, set against the backdrop of the picturesque town that inspired Puccini’s creativity.
Nestled on the shores of Lake Massaciuccoli, Torre del Lago Puccini is an idyllic setting for experiencing the magic of these operas. It’s not just a venue; it’s a place where the spirit of Puccini lingers in the air. Surrounded by the natural beauty of Tuscany, this open-air theater provides the perfect canvas for the haunting melodies and dramatic storytelling that characterize “Le Villi” and “Edgar.”
Now, let’s delve into the captivating narratives of these operas. “Le Villi” unfolds the tragic tale of young love and supernatural revenge. When Roberto abandons his love, Anna, for a city life, he falls victim to the wrath of the forest spirits, the Villi. This opera explores themes of betrayal, remorse, and the supernatural, delivering a haunting and emotive experience.
Story of "Edgar" / "Le Villi" by Giacomo Puccini
Le Villi
“Le Villi”, the first opera composed by Giacomo Puccini, is a haunting and tragic tale of love, betrayal, and supernatural revenge.
The story revolves around the ill-fated love between Roberto and Anna. Roberto, a young man, promises his undying love to Anna before leaving for the city. However, while in the city, he falls under the spell of other women and forgets his solemn vow to Anna. Heartbroken and abandoned, Anna dies of grief.
Here’s where the supernatural element comes into play. The spirits of young maidens who have died of a broken heart, known as the Villi, rise from their graves to seek vengeance on Roberto. These spectral figures, under the control of their queen, Giselda, dance him to death in a mesmerizing and eerie ballet.
“Le Villi” explores themes of faithfulness, betrayal, and the consequences of one’s actions. Puccini’s early masterpiece is a captivating blend of Italian melodrama and the supernatural, with lush and evocative music that adds depth to the emotional drama. The opera serves as a testament to Puccini’s early talent for storytelling through music and foreshadows the brilliance he would achieve in his later works.
Edgar
Giacomo Puccini’s opera “Edgar” is a passionate and dramatic tale of love, jealousy, and redemption.
The opera centers around the character Edgar, a young man who is deeply in love with Fidelia. However, when Edgar becomes entangled with the seductive and manipulative Tigrana, he betrays Fidelia’s love. This betrayal sets off a chain of events that lead to a tragic confrontation between the three main characters.
As the story unfolds, jealousy and revenge take center stage. Fidelia’s unwavering love for Edgar leads her to sacrifice herself to save him, even in the face of his betrayal. Tigrana, consumed by jealousy and anger, ultimately drives Edgar to confront his actions and seek redemption.
“Edgar” explores themes of love, temptation, remorse, and the power of forgiveness. Puccini’s music in this early work showcases his talent for creating emotionally charged and evocative melodies. While “Edgar” may not be as well-known as some of Puccini’s later operas, it offers a compelling and intense narrative that immerses audiences in the complexities of human emotions and relationships.
Join us at the Puccini Festival 2024 for an extraordinary journey into the world of “Le Villi” and “Edgar,” where music, drama, and the timeless beauty of Torre del Lago Puccini come together to create an unforgettable cultural experience. It’s a celebration of Puccini’s lesser-known masterpieces that will leave you spellbound and inspired.
Cast and Creative Team of LE WILLIS | EDGAR
Concertmaster and conductor • Massimo Zanetti
Direction, sets and costumes • Pier Luigi Pizzi
LE WILLIS
Legend in one act in two parts with a libretto by Ferdinando Fontana
Music • Giacomo Puccini
First performance Milan, Teatro Dal Verme, 31 May 1884
Critical edition by Martin Deasy for Ricordi
Cast
Guglielmo Gulf • Pietro Spagnoli
Anna, his daughter • Lidia Fridman
Roberto • Vincenzo Costanzo
EDGAR
Lyrical drama in four acts with a libretto by Ferdinando Fontana
Music by Giacomo Puccini
First performance Milan, Teatro alla Scala 21 April 1889
Cast
Edgar • Vassily Solodkyy
Gualtiero • Luca Dall’Amico
Frank • to be determined
Fidelia • Lidia Fridman
Tigrana • Ketevan Kemoklidze
Choreography • Gheorghe Iancu
Lighting design • Massimo Gasparon
Video drawing • Matteo Letizi
Scene assistant • Serena Rocco
Costume assistant • Lorena Marin
Choreography assistants • Letizia Giuliani and Francesco Marzola
ORCHESTRA AND CHOIR OF THE PUCCINI FESTIVAL
Choir Master • Roberto Ardigò
Children’s Choir of the Puccini Festival
Master of the Children’s Choir • Viviana Apicella
Booking Process
Music trip to Festival Puccini for 3 days / 2 nights with tickets for the operas “Le Villi” and “Edgar”. Each travel package is put together individually according to your wishes. Please select a date on the calendar and click on “Add to cart”. When we receive your booking request with the selection of the date, we will send you an individual offer with different hotels and ticket categories to choose from. Only after your selection, you will receive a travel contract and a first invoice to confirm the booking.
Description of the Travel Package
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Performance Dates Le Villi-Edgar
Choose a performance (date format YYYY-MM-DD)
Operas at the Puccini Festival in summer 2024
In Torre del Lago / Tuscany at Puccini Festival