Overdue

I’m just back from Italy, where the Teatro Regio in Turin is performing the four-act version of Giacomo Puccini’s opera, Edgar.  For the past five years, I’ve been preparing the edition of the score that they used, and finally seeing it performed was a truly exhilarating experience.  Here’s a link to the theater’s website:

 http://www.teatroregio.torino.it/en/seasons/2007-2008/edgar

Above all, I’m thrilled that Puccini’s original vision has been vindicated: the fourth act of the opera, which he cut under pressure, really is dramatically necessary, and it contains some amazing music.  Let’s hope they release the DVD!

While I was there, I made sure to do some fun things, too.  We spent a day in Genoa, which is a wonderful port city with an incredibly rich history.  I could easily spend a month there and not get bored.  We spent the afternoon at the Galata Museo del Mare (Museum of the Sea)

 http://www.galatamuseodelmare.it/jsp/index.jsp

where they have amazing exhibits on shipbuilding, sailing, and even the Italian emigrant experience (if you’ve ever been to Ellis Island, think of this as the other side of the story).  Highly recommended, if you ever find yourself in Genoa.