The Girl Of The Golden West

Puccini takes a huge sidestep from his other romantic operas with this homage to the land of the Gold Rush and Wild West frontiers. Our heroine is saloon owner Minnie, who with her fellow settlers finds life brutally harsh and unforgiving. Acclaimed soprano Susan Bullock returns to the ENO to sing the role of Minnie, joined by baritone Craig Colclough and tenor Peter Auty. Conducted by Keri-Lynn Wilson in her UK operatic debut.

WHAT IS IT ABOUT?

Set in the legendary Wild West of frontierland, Minnie holds her own in her bar saloon whilst the mining community toil hard in the search for gold. Their lives are on hold as they await the wealth and glory that was promised them.

The arrival of a handsome stranger inflames Minnie's desires, and the two embark on an affair, despite the attentions of one of the other locals. As the two come to blows over her, surprising revelations are spilt, which tests Minnie's trust and resolve. Will she rescue the man she loves from the hangman's noose and leave the town for a better life, or resign herself to drudgery?

Puccini's American Opera captures the lyrical beauty, soaring melodies and ambitious orchestration of his other operas with a definite Old Western feel.