show category: opera

The Romanian National Opera of Cluj-Napoca has the honour to invite you to a new premiere, to an extraordinary event that represents a special joy for our institution, being an exceptional occasion.

As the pandemic situation has hindered the organisation of a new opera production in the centenary year 2020, we are delighted for this occasion that brings a long-awaited moment. Therefore, we invite you to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the American West by watching Giacomo Puccini’s opera La fanciulla del West.

A three-act opera with a libretto by Guelfo Civinini and Carlo Zangarini, based on the 1905 play The Girl of the Golden West by American playwright David Belasco.

Innovative music, dramatic situations and lively plot. This is the opera La Fanciulla del West, in which Giacomo Puccini poses one of the most powerful questions of all: love or law?

After the success of Madama Butterfly, Puccini searched for a new libretto, eventually choosing American playwright David Belasco’s The Girl of the Golden West. The libretto was completed in August 1909, and Puccini took almost a year to complete the score. Having its world premiere in 1910 at the Metropolitan Opera, the new opera showed the composer’s fascination with exotic cultures. In this case, he heads to California to explore the Golden Rush.

The story invites you into the atmosphere of the American West and tells the stories of two lovers, Minnie and Dick. Discovering that Dick is actually a bandit from a band of thieves, wanted by the name of Ramirez, Minnie, deeply in love, plans his rescue. The local sheriff is attracted by Minnie, but all goes dark when he discovers she is hiding Ramirez. Can the young bandit put his past behind him and start all over again with Minnie? This is the question that provides the suspense of the whole story.

The show has two intermissions and ends around 10.oo p.m.
Recommended age: 12+