Puccini: La fanciulla del West [Recorded 1961]

Based on the play The Girl of the Golden West by the American author and Broadway impresario David Belasco, this live production from 1961 is notable for featuring Renata Tebaldi in the title role of Minnie, the take no guff saloon owner, a role that was considered among her defining ones and recorded during the prime of her voice. Also featuring noted Puccini and Verdi specialist, the baritone Giangiacomo Guelfi as the besottedly in love Sheriff Jack Rance, and tenor Daniele Barioni as Jack Johnson, the leader of the gang of bandits who steals Minnie’s heart and catalyzes the story to its melodramatic climax. With the Orchestra Sinfonica della Roma RAI conducted by Arturo Basile.