The Girl of the Golden West, Grand Theatre, Leeds
Grand Theatre, Leeds: Though not one of Puccini's best known operas, The Girl of the Golden West, based (like Madam Butterfly) on a once famous play by the American man-of-the-theatre David Belasco, is surely among his finest. Stagey and even melodramatic the plot may be, but Puccini's subtle and inventive score gives it surprising sophistication as well as undeniable emotional power. Read the full review