La Fanciulla del West

Story & Setting:

Puccini's "American opera" takes place in the mountains of the Wild West: California during the Gold Rush in 1849–50. The story features a gun-slinging heroine and the outlaw she is determined to fight for.

Opera Notes:

This opera marks the second setting by Puccini of a David Belasco play, following 1904's Madama Butterfly. Intrigued by the "ambience of the West," Puccini collaborated with librettist Carlo Zingarini to produce this piece, which would become the first world premiere at the Met in 1910.

Sung in

Italian

Length:

3 hours & 25 minutes

Giacomo Puccini (1858-1924)

Watch/Listen

Audio Slideshow with Deborah Voigt

Met Opera (current production)

The Horses of La Fanciulla del West

Met Opera (current production)