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Puccini's 'La rondine'

BBC Symphony Orchestra / Carlo Rizzi

,Barbican Hall
An image of Ermonela Jaho posing surrounded by a blue circle against a blue background

Ermonela Jaho stars in Puccini’s bittersweet romance, his opera La rondine, incorporating music that has not been heard this century. 

Ruggero is young and wealthy, with his whole life before him. Magda is beautiful, worldly and wise – surely too wise to fall in love all over again? But amid the delights of belle-époque Paris, romance can be as intoxicating as champagne – and the heart, as they say, has its own reasons. In Puccini’s opera La rondine, they’ve never sounded sweeter. 

Inspired by Viennese operetta, La rondine is a bittersweet love story, set to some of the most romantic melodies that even Puccini ever wrote. But it’s also portrait of a world waltzing on the edge; a deeply moving study of innocence and (tender) experience. This one-off concert performance from the BBCSO and Opera Rara stars Ermonela Jaho as Magda, and uses the newly restored final 1921 version of the score, incorporating music which is completely unknown today. Prepare to be seduced.

Tagged with: Classical music Young Barbican BBC Symphony Orchestra Multibuy 2025/26 More...

Sung in Italian with English surtitles

Pre-concert talk
6.15pm, Hall

An introduction to Puccini’s La rondine with Carlo Rizzi, Opera Rara Artistic Director and conductor of tonight’s performance, Martin Fitzpatrick, Assistant Conductor, and music historian Ditlev Rindom.

Doors open 6pm
Free event. Limited capacity with admission on a first-come, first-served basis to ticket-holders for the performance.

Co-produced by the BBC Symphony Orchestra and Opera Rara. 

Programme

  • Giacomo Puccini   La rondine

Performers

  • BBC Symphony Orchestra  
  • Carlo Rizzi   conductor
  • Ermonela Jaho   Magda de Civry
  • Iván Ayón-Rivas   Ruggero Lastouc
  • Nicola Alaimo   Rambaldo Fernandez
  • Ellie Neate   Lisette
  • Juan Franciso Gatell   Prunier
  • Jessica Robinson   Yvette/ Georgette / Fleury
  • Julieth Lozano Rolong   Bianca / Gabriella / Mariette
  • Joanna Harries   Suzy/ Lolette / Rorò
  • Robert Lewis   Gobin
  • David Shipley   Périchaud
  • William Thomas   Crébillon / Il maggiordomo
  • BBC Singers  

Barbican Hall

Location
The Barbican Hall is located within the main Barbican building. Head to Level G and follow the signs to find your seating level. 

Address
Barbican Centre
Silk Street, London
EC2Y 8DS

Public transport
​​​​​​​The Barbican is widely accessible by bus, tube, train and by foot or bicycle. Plan your journey and find more route information in ‘Your Visit’ or book your car parking space in advance.

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